Interventions for rapid recognition and treatment of sepsis in the emergency department: a narrative review

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early recognition and treatment of sepsis is associated with improved outcome. The emergency department (ED) is the department where patients with sepsis seek care. However, recognition of sepsis in the ED remains difficult. Different alert and triage systems, screening scores and intervention strategies have been developed to assist clinicians in early recognition of sepsis and to optimize management. Objectives: This narrative review describes currently applied interventions or interventions we can start using today, such as screening scores, (automated) triage systems, sepsis teams and clinical pathways in sepsis ca..