Clinical and Demographic Parameters of Patients Treated Using a Sepsis Protocol

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Clinical informatics
• Sepsis management

Background:

• Sepsis electronic bundle order sets aim to standardize care.
• Understanding sex-based differences in sepsis is crucial for tailored treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex-based disparities in patient characteristics and outcomes within a sepsis electronic bundle order set.
• To identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality in sepsis patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2204 sepsis patients treated with an electronic order set.
• Comparison of demographic, clinical factors, and mortality between male and female cohorts.
• Application of Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (α = 0.006).

Main Results:

• Male and female cohorts showed similar demographics, severity (Emergency Severity Index - ESI), antibiotic appropriateness, and fluid administration.
• Modest differences observed: genitourinary sepsis more common in women (4%), ambulance arrival more common in men (4%), but not statistically significant after correction.
• In-hospital mortality was associated with advanced age, ambulance arrival, and ESI levels 1-2, irrespective of sex.

Conclusions:

• Sex did not significantly influence sepsis patient characteristics or in-hospital mortality risk when using the electronic bundle order set.
• Sepsis management protocols should focus on identified risk factors like age, mode of arrival, and severity.
• Further research may explore subtle sex-based differences in sepsis etiology or presentation.