Implementation of Sepsis Protocol for Timely Antibiotic Administration in the Emergency Department
Ruttanaseeha W, MD1, Hurnmek S, MD2, Ienghong K, MD1, Gaysonsiri D, MD3, Apiratwarakul K, MD1, Bhudhisawasdi V, MD1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Roi-Et Hospital, Roi-Et, Thailand 3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Sepsis is a common condition in the emergency department and a leading cause of death for patients in Thailand. The
implementation of a sepsis protocol can prevent death by facilitating appropriate management and ensuring that antibiotics are
received within one hour of sepsis diagnosis. Such a protocol has been in use at Srinagarind Hospital, but there have not yet been
any studies conducted to evaluate its effectiveness.
Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of the Srinagarind Sepsis Protocol in terms of whether patients received appropriate
antibiotics within one hour after presentation with sepsis.
Materials and Methods : This was a retrospective cohort study that reviewed the medical records of 192 sepsis patients in the
Srinagarind Hospital emergency department from January 2016 to December 2018.
Results : Overall, sepsis patients received antibiotics within one hour of diagnosis in 136 cases (70.8%). Prior to protocol
implementation, only 56.3% of patients received antibiotics within this time frame, a figure that rose to 87.2% after implementation.
The percentage of patients in whom sepsis bundles were completed within three hours also increased after protocol implementation.
Conclusion : The treatment protocol allowed patients to receive appropriate antibiotic treatment within one hour and sepsis
bundles to be completed within 3 hours of sepsis identification.
Keywords : Sepsis, Septic Shock, Antibiotics, Nurses, Emergencies
