Effect of Undertriage on the Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia, Sepsis, and Septic Shock

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382199968
Author(s):  
Anas Alsharawneh
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Septic Shock ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Febrile Neutropenia ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Extended Length ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock ◽  
Timely Treatment

Sepsis and neutropenia are considered the primary life-threatening complications of cancer treatment and are the leading cause of hospitalization and death. The objective was to study whether patients with neutropenia, sepsis, and septic shock were identified appropriately at triage and receive timely treatment within the emergency setting. Also, we investigated the effect of undertriage on key treatment outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all accessible records of admitted adult cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and septic shock. Our results identified that the majority of patients were inappropriately triaged to less urgent triage categories. Patients’ undertriage significantly prolonged multiple emergency timeliness indicators and extended length of stay within the emergency department and hospital. These effects suggest that triage implementation must be objective, consistent, and accurate because of the several influences of the assigned triage scoring on treatment and health outcomes.

scholarly journals Evaluation and Treatment of Elevated Temperature in the Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Boushra
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Septic Shock ◽  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Vital Sign ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Thyroid Storm ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Abdominal Infections ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock

Elevated patient temperature is a common vital sign abnormality in the emergency department that can be caused either by fever or hyperthermia. Fever is a frequent presentation, most commonly caused by infections of the respiratory or urinary tracts. Other occult sources include musculoskeletal, cardiac, neurological, and intra-abdominal infections. These infections can become complicated by sepsis and septic shock, conditions with high mortality. Treatment of the febrile acutely-ill patient should begin with fluids, antimicrobials, and source control. However, if this is ineffective or if the presentation is inconsistent with infection, consideration should be given to hyperthermia, rather than fever, being the cause of the patient’s elevated temperature. Several life-threatening and reversible conditions can mimic sepsis and present with elevated temperature. These mimics include toxicity from medications and illicit substances, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, malignant hyperthermia, and thyroid storm. Identification of these mimics as the source of elevated temperature can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes in these patients.

scholarly journals Management of sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Gavelli ◽  
Luigi Mario Castello ◽  
Gian Carlo Avanzi
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Septic Shock ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Surviving Sepsis Campaign ◽  
Sepsis Management ◽  
Early Management ◽  
New Information ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock ◽  
Early Phases

AbstractEarly management of sepsis and septic shock is crucial for patients’ prognosis. As the Emergency Department (ED) is the place where the first medical contact for septic patients is likely to occur, emergency physicians play an essential role in the early phases of patient management, which consists of accurate initial diagnosis, resuscitation, and early antibiotic treatment. Since the issuing of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in 2016, several studies have been published on different aspects of sepsis management, adding a substantial amount of new information on the pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. In light of this emerging evidence, the present narrative review provides a comprehensive account of the recent advances in septic patient management in the ED.

Assessment and care of the patient with sepsis

2020 ◽  
pp. 225-257
Author(s):  
Kevin Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock

There has been considerable recent focus on sepsis in both the clinical arena and within the general public to raise awareness of the importance of early recognition of this potentially life-threatening condition. The early recognition of sepsis by ward nurses can both reduce progression of this lethal disease and improve survival for patients in hospital. This chapter focuses on definitions of sepsis and septic shock, physiological changes associated with inflammatory and cardiovascular responses to sepsis, and a clinical assessment framework to guide practice. There is also a discussion of the use of scoring systems and how to escalate support mechanisms for patients with sepsis and septic shock.

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