The study examined the impact of a two-stage alert, developed by researchers and implemented in the hospital’s EHR system. When an age-based elevated heart rate or hypotensive blood pressure is documented in the EHR at any time in the ED, the first-stage alert is triggered, which provides a series of questions about underlying high risk conditions, perfusion and mental status. The second-stage alert is triggered if any of the answers to the questions are in the affirmative.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
If patients trigger both stage alerts, a sepsis huddle is triggered, which involves a focused patient evaluation and discussion with the emergency physician and care team.
The study shows of the 1.2 percent of pediatric ED patients who triggered the two-stage alert, 23.8 percent experienced the sepsis huddles and underwent sepsis treatment.
The new sepsis protocol only missed 4 percent of patients, who went on to develop severe sepsis.
“Sepsis is a killer and notoriously difficult to identify accurately in children, which is why this alert is so promising,” said lead study author Fran Balamuth, MD, PhD, of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
More articles on quality:
Why daily cleaning may not be enough: Every moment counts
US leads other nations in health inequality: 8 things to know
Testing for Zika increases 37% nationwide, athenahealth finds
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
