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Association between time to antibiotic and mortality in patients with suspected sepsis in the Emergency Department: post hoc analysis of the 1-BED randomized clinical trial

A. Philippon, S. Lebal, Marta Cancella de Abreu, C. Gerlier, Ò. Miró, Tabassome Simon, Y. Freund

European journal of emergency medicine, 2024

872 participants · 6 citations

Abstract

Importance: The impact of early antibiotics on mortality in patients with suspected sepsis in the emergency department (ED) remains debated, particularly in patients with less severe presentations or before infection confirmation.

Objective: To evaluate the association between time to antibiotic administration and 28-day in-hospital mortality among patients with suspected sepsis in the ED.

Design, setting, and participants: Post hoc analysis of the 1-bundle emergency department trial, a multicenter, stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 23 EDs in France and Spain. A total of 872 patients with suspected sepsis were included between June 2022 and September 2023. All patients with available data on antibiotic administration were analyzed, and a subgroup of patients with no hypotension was also assessed.

Exposures: Time to antibiotic administration. The effect of time to fluid resuscitation was also assessed.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality at 28 days. Secondary outcomes included all-cause 28-day mortality, ICU length of stay, number of days without vasopressors at day 28, and change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at 72 h.

Results: Among 872 patients (mean age 66 years; 41% female), 859 had available data on antibiotic administration (primary analysis) and 791 (92%) received antibiotics. The median time to antibiotic administration was 61 min (IQR 14-169), with 457 patients (58%) receiving…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 872 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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