Correct sepsis classification-A must for antimicrobial stewardship: A longitudinal observational study

Sepsis is a critical medical condition, and poses a substantial global health burden, with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic costs, particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries. Effective management of sepsis relies on early recognition and appropriate intervention, underscoring the importance of accurate classification to guide treatment decisions. The correct diagnosis will lead to effective antimicrobial stewardship practices.

To assess the distribution of sepsis categories and the use of empirical antibiotics classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) system in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India and to correlate antibiotic usage with sepsis classifications.

This longitudinal observational study in the Department of General Medicine, in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India, from 2023 to 2024, aimed to assess the use of empirical antibiotics classified by the WHO AWaRe system. The study also aimed to correlate antibiotic usage. Patients were categorized into sepsis classes (Asepsis, Possible Sepsis, Probable Sepsis, Confirmed Sepsis) and followed until discharge or Day-28. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed to assess sepsis categories and empirical antibiotic usage classified by the WHO AWaRe system.

A total of 1867 patients admitted with suspected sepsis were screened, with 230 meeting the inclusion criteria. Among the study cohort (mean age 40.70 ± 14.49 years, 50.9% female), initial sepsis classification predominantly included probable sepsis (51.3%) and possible sepsis (35.7%), evolving to asepsis (57.8%) upon final classification, but all received antibiotics. Empirical antibiotic use showed a predominance of Watch group antibiotics (72.2%), with ceftriaxone and piperacillin-tazobactam being the most commonly prescribed; however, no statistical association could be established among the different classes of sepsis with the AWaRe groups.

Accurate sepsis classification is pivotal for clinical decision-making, optimizing antibiotic use, and combating antimicrobial resistance. The majority of the asepsis category was labelled as probable or possible sepsis and given antibiotics at initial hospitalization. The high reliance on Watch group antibiotics in empirical therapy signals a need for enhanced diagnostic strategies to refine treatment initiation, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure. Future efforts should focus on establishing sepsis classification checklists as in this study and promoting adherence to antimicrobial stewardship principles to mitigate the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.