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Sepsis prevalence among patients with suspected infection in emergency department: a multicenter prospective cohort study

M. Oberlin, Frédéric Balen, Lionel Bertrand, N. Chapeau, Bastien San Cirilo, Emmanuelle Ruols, T. Vandercamere, Clement Souchaud et al.

European journal of emergency medicine, 2020

172 participants · 10 citations

Abstract

Objective In the emergency department (ED), the early identification of patients suspected of infection is a challenge for emergency physicians. Sepsis prevalence among patients with suspected infection in the ED remains uncertain. Our objective was to determine how many cases of sepsis occurred among patients with suspected infections in the ED. Methods This multi-center, prospective, observational study was conducted in 19 EDs in France. For 1 week, all consecutive ED patients with suspected infection (according to the emergency physician) were included. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of sepsis in the ED according to the ‘sepsis-3’ definition. Secondary endpoints involved comparisons among patients with and without sepsis. Results During the study period, 13 904 patients were screened; 494 (3.6%) consulted for suspected infection and were included in the study. Among them, 172 patients [39%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (34–44)] were diagnosed with sepsis. The total hospital mortality for patients with a suspected infection was 4.7% and the hospital mortality for sepsis patients was 9.9%. Conclusion In the ED, among patients with a suspected infection, the prevalence of sepsis as per the ‘sepsis-3’ definition was 39% [95% CI (34–44)].

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, 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: 172 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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