Key issues in the infected patient care in the Emergency Department

To develop a set of recommendations, by consensus of Emergency Medicine experts, on key aspects related to the care of adult patients with acute infection attended in Spanish emergency departments (ED).

The study was divided into three phases: 1) To design a questionnaire by a coordinating group; 2) To conduct a survey in ED physicians in order to know their opinion on the issues raised by the coordinating group; 3) To develop a number of recommendations based on the responses to the questionnaire and their subsequent discussion.

A group of 28 experts from different Spanish ED, as well as 5 members of the coordinating group, with knowledge and experience in the management of infectious diseases in ED, conducted a round of voting to a questionnaire of 18 issues grouped into three sections: 1) identification and stratification of the severity; 2) diagnosis and treatment; 3) management.

A monitoring system and proper training of the entire healthcare team are required, as well as extensive knowledge on these issues, to ensure adequate and effective care for these patients. It is essential to educate and train all health staff, especially in the ED, because it is the initial point of contact for most patients with an infection. The experts established proposals based on survey questions and the discussion.