Timing of Antibiotic Treatment in Severe Sepsis, Revisited

Data from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign database suggest that initiating antibiotic therapy within 1 hour after diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock lowers mortality.

Numerous studies have shown that prompt administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy (i.e., within the first hour of documented hypotension) is a key measure in treating patients with sepsis (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jun 22 2006). Using data for January 2005 through February 2010 from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign database, researchers readdressed the time-criticality of antibiotic treatment in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Of 28,150 cases identified from 165 intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide, 17,990 with data on antibiotic administration and without antimicrobial treatment before sepsis onset were included in the analysis. In-hospital mortality in this cohort was 31.3% overall — 32.0% in patients who received antibiotics within the firs…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Timing of Antibiotic Treatment in Severe Sepsis, Revisited

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Reviewing Author