Severe Sepsis Patients with Hypothermia Receive Less Timely Antibiotics and Have Higher Mortality

Despite worse outcomes, hypothermic patients appeared to be treated less aggressively than other patients with severe sepsis.

Among septic patients, fever may foster recognition of an infectious etiology; its presence has been correlated with earlier aggressive treatment and better outcomes (Crit Care Med 2017;45:4).

Investigators prospectively enrolled patients aged ≥16 with severe sepsis by Sepsis 2 definition in an observational study in 59 Japanese intensive care units. Patients were divided into three groups by body temperature (<36°C [hypothermia], 36°–38°C, and >38°C). Mortality and compliance with sepsis bundle elements were compared between groups.

Of 1143 patients (median age, 73; 63% with septic shock), 127 had hypothermia (11%). At enrollment, hypothermic patients appeared moderately sicker than those with fever or normothermia. In-hospital mortality was…

Reviewing Author

Benton R. Hunter, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Chair, Evidence Based Healthcare Interest Group)

Benton R. Hunter, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Chair, Evidence Based Healthcare Interest Group)

Severe Sepsis Patients with Hypothermia Receive Less Timely Antibiotics and Have Higher Mortality

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Reviewing Author