Application of The New Guidelines for Sepsis Management in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis is a widespread issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals, accounting for up to 30% of all hospital deaths. This review aimed to identify gaps in guideline application and highlight areas where improvements are required, with the ultimate goal of substantially reducing sepsis-related deaths.

Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed, encompassing prominent electronic databases from their inception until 2023. The search combined keywords and medical subject headings (MeSH terms), with a focus on "sepsis," "emergency department," "guidelines," "application," and "management." The study selection process involved a two-step approach, with initial screening of titles and abstracts followed by a detailed examination of full-text articles to meet predefined inclusion criteria. This meticulous methodology aimed to enhance the systematic review's reliability and comprehensiveness, enabling the extraction of valuable insights on the application and effectiveness of new sepsis management guidelines in emergency departments.

Results: This systematic review encompassed 12 studies with diverse research designs, focusing on the application of new sepsis management guidelines in various healthcare settings. The review revealed an average guideline adherence rate of 58%, indicating a moderate level of compliance with recommended protocols. Furthermore, most studies demonstrated positive impacts on patient outcomes, with timely and guideline-compliant sepsis management associated with a notable reduction in mortality rates, potentially reaching a statistically significant decrease of up to 20%. Additionally, common implementation barriers, such as time constraints and resource limitations, were consistent across healthcare settings, and substantial variability in guideline adoption was observed among different regions and institutions.

Conclusions: This systematic review contributes to the expanding knowledge on the implementation of new sepsis management guidelines in emergency departments. It reinforces the critical themes of guideline adherence, overcoming implementation obstacles, standardizing practices, and utilizing risk stratification tools to improve patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency within the emergency department context.