Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:30
Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression
Published on: June 15, 2019
Sepsis and scientific revolutions
Andrew W Artenstein1, Thomas L Higgins, Steven M Opal
11Department of Medicine, Baystate Health and Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, MA. 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
Critical Care Medicine
|August 31, 2013
Summary
The treatment of sepsis is evolving, with past advances and paradigm shifts showing mixed success. Future breakthroughs in sepsis therapy may emerge from novel pathobiologic insights and an open scientific approach.
Area of Science:
- Medical science
- Pathobiology
- Scientific discovery
Background:
- Sepsis treatment has evolved through incremental advances and paradigm shifts, influenced by scientific discovery.
- Antimicrobials represent a key advance, while revised sepsis management guidelines highlight recent evidence-based approaches.
- Despite progress, immune- and coagulation-based therapies for sepsis have yielded notable failures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolutionary process of therapeutic approaches in sepsis.
- To contextualize sepsis treatment within the framework of scientific revolutions.
- To evaluate the success and failures of past and current sepsis management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and historical analysis of sepsis treatment.
- Examination of paradigm shifts in medical science, referencing Kuhn's work.
- Analysis of data from clinical trials and evidence-based guidelines for sepsis.
Main Results:
- The therapeutic approach to sepsis follows an evolutionary path, marked by both incremental progress and significant paradigm shifts.
- Past therapeutic strategies, particularly those targeting immune and coagulation systems, have encountered numerous failures.
- Current evidence-based guidelines represent an ongoing effort in sepsis management.
Conclusions:
- A definitive paradigm shift in sepsis treatment has not yet been achieved.
- Novel pathobiologic findings are crucial for future advancements in sepsis therapy.
- An open-minded approach, informed by new scientific discoveries, is essential for improving sepsis outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:28History of Microbiology
Microbiology, a scientific field dedicated to the study of microorganisms, has undergone profound development since its inception in the 17th century. Its history is marked by key discoveries and technological advancements that have shaped our understanding of life at the microscopic level and transformed medicine, agriculture, and industry.Early Foundations of MicrobiologyThe early foundations of microbiology were built on groundbreaking observations and the development of pioneering...
01:28Asepsis
The condition of being free from disease-causing living pathogens is asepsis. Aseptic techniques include a set of standard practices to achieve asepsis. An example is the regular environmental cleaning of all parts of the healthcare facility and hand hygiene at home before preparing or eating food. Medical and surgical asepsis in healthcare practice protects patients from harmful pathogens, minimizes the risk of contamination of susceptible sites, and reduces the risk of infection transmission.
02:40The Scientific Method
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
03:50The Scientific Method
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
01:32The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
01:18The Scientific Method in Nursing Process
The scientific method provides the foundation for any research. It is the most reliable and objective of all forms of gaining knowledge and guides in applying research-based evidence in practice and conducting future research.
When using research findings to change practice, one must understand the process used to guide a study. The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step process that supports the data's validity, reliability, and generalizability. As a result, findings can be safely...
When using research findings to change practice, one must understand the process used to guide a study. The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step process that supports the data's validity, reliability, and generalizability. As a result, findings can be safely...