Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

i
i
SEPSIS AND SEPTIC SHOCK
Sepsis is a systemic response to infection and a useful clinical
definition which allows early identification and treatment of patients
before organ dysfunction or failure occurs.
For sepsis to be diagnosed two or more of the following should be
present:
• Respiratory rate >20 breaths/min or PaCO 90 beats/min.
• Temperature >38ºC or 12,000 cells/mm3 , 10 percent
immature forms.
Plus suspected or confirmed infection.
A low diastolic and wide pulse pressure eg 110/40mmHg often
indicates sepsis
Severe sepsis is present when organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion
(e.g. lactic acidosis, oliguria, or an acute alteration in mental status) or
hypotension (systolic BP