Adult Screening and Treatment

Recommendation

Adopt and implement an evidence-based sepsis screening tool and treatment protocol for adults in the emergency department.

Rationale

Timely treatment of sepsis is critical to survival – the risk of dying from septic shock increases 7.6 percent for every hour that passes.
Utilizing a standardized screening tool in the emergency department is an effective strategy to aid in the early recognition of sepsis.
Use of a standard treatment bundle for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock is effective in reducing mortality.

Sepsis Response Pathway

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ED Sepsis Screening Tool

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Sepsis Screening and Triage Algorithm Tool

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Nurse-Initiated Protocol

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Lowell General adopts a nurse-driven protocol for early sepsis treatment

– Lowell General Hospital, Lowell

Routine procalcitonin testing helps clinicians identify and treat sepsis early

– Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, Brockton

Partnership with local EMS agencies improves early identification of sepsis patients

– Baystate Medical Center, Springfield

Outreach to nursing homes improves early identification of sepsis

– Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield

Sepsis in Emergency Medicine Toolkit