Prehospital Antibiotics for Sepsis?

Giving antibiotics in the ambulance did not improve outcomes.

Researchers conducted a multicenter randomized open-label trial to compare prehospital administration of antibiotics to usual care for sepsis. The study involved 10 regional prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) in the Netherlands that transported to 34 hospitals. Before the study, EMS and emergency department personnel received training in how to recognize and treat sepsis.

Nearly 2700 adult patients with temperature >38°C or <36°C and heart rate >90 or respiratory rate >20 were randomized to prehospital antibiotics or usual care. In the ambulance, patients in the prehospital group received 2 grams of ceftriaxone plus oxygen and fluids, whereas those in the usual-care group received oxygen and fluids alone. The primary outcome was 28…

Reviewing Author

Richard L. Byyny, MD, MSc, FACEP

Disclosures

EquityZimmer; Aetna

Editorial BoardsAmerican College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Committee

Richard L. Byyny, MD, MSc, FACEP

Disclosures

EquityZimmer; Aetna

Editorial BoardsAmerican College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Committee

Prehospital Antibiotics for Sepsis?

Topics

Reviewing Author