Effectiveness of Screening for Sepsis among Hospitalized General Patients

Abstract

Introduction:

Sepsis remains a significant global health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes, yet the effectiveness of various sepsis screening interventions in hospitalized general patients has been inconsistently reported. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sepsis screening interventions among hospitalized general patients, focusing on outcomes such as early detection rates, time to treatment, and mortality.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was conducted in databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials from the last five years up to 2022. Inclusion criteria were interventional studies assessing the effectiveness of sepsis screening in adult hospitalized patients, with outcomes related to sepsis identification, treatment initiation, and patient outcomes. Studies were screened and assessed for quality, with data extracted on study characteristics, interventions, and key findings.

Results:

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a range of interventions such as electronic alerts, standardized protocols, and educational programs. The studies demonstrated improvements in early sepsis detection (from 45% to 78%), reductions in time to antibiotic administration (median decrease of 2.5 hours), and decreases in mortality rates (20% reduction in some studies). Notably, integrated approaches combining technology and multidisciplinary teamwork showed promising results, with risk ratios for improved detection and treatment outcomes ranging significantly across studies.

Conclusions:

The review highlights the potential of systematic sepsis screening interventions to significantly enhance patient outcomes in hospital settings. Despite challenges in comparing across diverse study designs and settings, the evidence supports the implementation of multifaceted sepsis screening protocols to improve early detection, timely treatment, and ultimately, patient survival rates. Future research should focus on optimizing these interventions for broader applicability and assessing their long-term impacts on healthcare systems.