StayCurrentMD · Sepsis Care Algorithm
Guideline3 min read·Published Oct 2019Older

Sepsis Care Algorithm

Guideline · Oct 2019 · 3 min read

In brief

In brief

Clinical decision-making algorithm for the recognition, evaluation, and management of sepsis in pediatric or adult patients, guiding systematic assessment and treatment protocols.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the guideline.

Initial Evaluation and Screening (0-10 minutes)

Place patient on continuous monitoring and perform focused perfusion assessment. Conduct initial team huddle to determine presence of shock signs and whether to activate sepsis pathway. Establish reassessment plan and medical response team (MRT) criteria for floor patients.

Initial Diagnosis and Management (0-20 minutes)

Establish IV access, administer oxygen, and initiate continuous vital sign monitoring at minimum q15 minutes including blood pressure. Administer 20 ml/kg normal saline bolus via rapid infuser unless contraindicated, obtain blood culture, CBC, blood gas, lactic acid, and BMP, and order empiric antibiotics. Clinician must reassess and discuss next steps within 15 minutes of intervention.

Ongoing Resuscitation (20-60 minutes)

Continue fluid resuscitation with second and third boluses as needed, with reassessment between each to evaluate patient response and perfusion status. If patient not responding to initial boluses, investigate alternative causes of shock and address source control, electrolyte deficiencies, and consider stress-dose hydrocortisone in at-risk populations. Plan for appropriate disposition based on clinical trajectory.

Empiric Antibiotic Selection

Antibiotic choice is guided by suspected source and patient risk factors. Previously healthy patients receive ceftriaxone ±vancomycin, medically complex patients receive piperacillin-tazobactam ±vancomycin, and high-risk populations (BMT, oncology, history of multidrug-resistant organisms) require broader coverage with meropenem or cefepime plus vancomycin. Vancomycin is indicated for MRSA risk factors or highly-resistant pneumococcal infection risk.

All patients require CBC, blood culture, lactic acid, blood gas, and basic metabolic panel in the first hour. Additional studies including urinalysis, liver function tests, chest radiograph, and cerebrospinal fluid studies should be obtained based on clinical suspicion and underlying conditions. Advanced care may include procalcitonin trending, coagulation studies if DIC suspected, and advanced imaging to identify infection source.

Fluid Resuscitation Guidelines and Contraindications

Standard bolus volume is 20 ml/kg normal saline administered via push-pull or rapid infuser, with reassessment after each bolus. Smaller boluses should be considered for neonates under 1 month, patients with heart failure signs, sickle cell patients with cardiomyopathy risk, and cardiology patients (who require echocardiogram after second bolus). Consider earlier vasopressor initiation if signs of fluid overload develop including rales, hepatomegaly, or worsening respiratory distress.

Medical Response Team and Disposition Criteria

Discuss MRT activation criteria at all team discussions and call MRT if abnormal perfusion persists after 60 ml/kg fluid resuscitation (earlier activation acceptable based on clinical judgment). Disposition planning should account for ongoing resuscitation needs and clinical trajectory.

Stress-Dose Hydrocortisone Indications

Consider stress-dose hydrocortisone for patients at risk of adrenal insufficiency including those with catecholamine-resistant shock, chronic steroid use, home stress-dose steroid requirements, or known adrenal hyperplasia.

Recognition of Altered Perfusion

Signs of altered perfusion may be subtle in early compensated shock and include delayed capillary refill (>2 seconds), cool pale skin, altered mental status, and weaker peripheral pulses. Warm shock presents differently with flash capillary refill and bounding pulses.

Statements in this guideline

  1. Place the patient on monitors with vital signs measured at least every 15 minutes including blood pressure.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  2. Establish intravenous access in patients with probable septic shock.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  3. Administer oxygen to improve oxygen carrying capacity.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  4. Administer 20 ml/kg normal saline via rapid infuser or push/pull unless contraindicated.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  5. Obtain CBC, blood culture, blood gas, lactic acid, and BMP in all patients with septic shock.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  6. Clinician reassessment and discussion of next steps should occur within 15 minutes of each intervention.

    RecommendationInitial diagnosis and management
  7. Second and third boluses should be given rapidly, with reassessment in between to determine how many boluses are needed and how the patient is responding.

    RecommendationOngoing resuscitation
  8. If the patient is not responding to first and second bolus at all, consider other causes of tachycardia or shock.

    RecommendationOngoing resuscitation
  9. Need for ongoing resuscitation should be driven by perfusion or blood pressure/MAP concerns.

    RecommendationOngoing resuscitation
  10. Investigate and treat potential sources of infection including surgical source control.

    RecommendationOngoing resuscitation
  11. Address electrolyte deficiencies including sodium, glucose, and calcium.

    RecommendationOngoing resuscitation
  12. Boluses should be 20 ml/kg normal saline via push pull or rapid infuser; adjust volume for patients with contraindications.

    RecommendationRapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications
  13. Patients who may need smaller boluses include neonates less than 1 month, those with signs of heart failure, and sickle cell patients with risk of cardiomyopathy.

    RecommendationRapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications
  14. Cardiology patients should have an echocardiogram after the second bolus.

    RecommendationRapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications
  15. Consider pressors earlier if signs of fluid overload including rales, hepatomegaly, or increasing respiratory distress with fluid administration.

    RecommendationRapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications
  16. Some patients need pressors after only 40 ml/kg fluids.

    EstablishedRapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications
  17. Previously healthy patients with unknown source septic shock should receive ceftriaxone with or without vancomycin.

    RecommendationInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  18. Medically complex patients with unknown source septic shock should receive piperacillin-tazobactam with or without vancomycin.

    RecommendationInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  19. Patients with history of multi-drug resistant bacteria or recent exposure to cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam should receive meropenem plus vancomycin.

    RecommendationInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  20. Vancomycin is indicated for any child with risk factors for MRSA or highly-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

    RecommendationInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  21. Risk factors for MRSA include bone, joint, or deep tissue infection, and history or family history of MRSA infection or recurrent boils.

    EstablishedInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  22. Risk factors for highly-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae include recent beta-lactam exposure, daycare attendance, and non-vaccinated status.

    EstablishedInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  23. When vancomycin is ordered, it should be administered after the antibiotic listed above it.

    RecommendationInitial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  24. Procalcitonin is helpful to trend when deciding whether to continue antibiotics.

    RecommendationRecommended Labs / Imaging in Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock
  25. Calling MRT is recommended if the patient has abnormal perfusion after 60 ml/kg fluid resuscitation.

    RecommendationMRT and Disposition Considerations
  26. Stress dose hydrocortisone should be considered in patients with catecholamine resistant shock, chronic steroid use, home stress dose steroid use, or known adrenal hyperplasia.

    RecommendationStress Dose Hydrocortisone Recommendations
  27. Signs of altered perfusion include delayed capillary refill greater than 2 seconds, cool pale skin, altered mental status, and weaker peripheral pulses.

    EstablishedSigns of Altered Perfusion
  28. In warm shock, signs include flash capillary refill and bounding pulses.

    EstablishedSigns of Altered Perfusion
Full text

Yes Unsure Ongoing resuscitation – Septic shock order set □ Need for ongoing resuscitation should be driven by perfusion or BP /MAP concerns □ 2nd and 3 rd boluses given rapidly , with reassessment in between to determine how many boluses are needed and how patient is responding □ If patient not responding to 1st and 2 nd bolus at all, consider other causes of tachycardia/shock □ Investigate/treat potential sources of infection (including surgical source control) □ Stress dose hydrocortisone in at risk populations □ Address electrolyte deficiencies (Na+, glucose, Ca++) □ Clinician reassessment and discussion of next steps within 15 minutes of each intervention □ Recommended additional labs and imaging (guided by clinical situation/population) □ Plan for disposition Evaluation □ Place on monitors □ Clinician assessment focused on perfusion □ Initial huddle: discuss whether there are signs of shock, initiation of sepsis pathway, plan for reassessment (and set MRT criteria for floor patients) Screen positive (ED) Usual care/ reassessment plan Yes 20-60 min No Probable septic shock? 0-10 min 0-20 min Initial diagnosis and management – Septic shock order set □ Establish IV access □ Administer O2 to improve 02 carrying capacity □ Place patient on monitors: vitals at least q15 minutes including BP □ Administer 20 ml/kg NS via rapid infuser or push/pull unless contraindicated □ All patients: CBC, blood culture, blood gas, lactic acid, BMP □ Order antibiotics (see recommended antibiotic list) □ Recommended additional labs and imaging (guided by clinical situation/population) □ Clinician reassessment/discussion of next steps within 15 min of intervention Modified pathway (ED) Frontline provider concern for septic shock Usual care/ reassessment and disposition Evidence-Based Care Algorithm for the Management of Septic Shock Watcher/SA concern for septic shock (inpatient) Ongoing signs of shock? No Recommended antibiotics Rapid fluid administration / contraindications Recommended labs/imaging MRT considerations MAP for age Stress dose steroid recommendations Disposition considerations Signs of altered perfusion

Unknown source Intra-Abdominal source Non-CBDI Patients on immune- suppressive meds (e.g. Rheum), or with a CVC BMT or Oncology patient GI patient (including CVC, liver, small bowel transplant) History of multi-drug resistant bacteria** or recent exposure to Cefepime or Zosyn Previously Healthy Patient Medically Complex Patient Ceftriaxone +/- Vancomycin* Zosyn +/- Vancomycin* Refer to CBDI Divisional Guidelines Refer to GI Central Line Fever Flowchart Meropenem + Vancomycin Cefepime + Vancomycin Initial Empiric Antibiotics for Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock Recommended Labs / Imaging in Severe Sepsis / Septic Shock Initial Care - First Hour(s) All patients – CBC, blood culture, lactic acid, blood gas, BMP Select patients based on clinician suspicion/underlying conditions: UA/Urine culture, LFTs, HCG, CXR, CSF/viral/wound/trach studies as needed Advanced/ICU Care Procalcitonin is helpful to trend when deciding whether to continue antibiotics PT/PTT, DIC panel, type if signs of coagulopathy ESR/CRP for suspicion of osteomyelitis Advanced imaging as needed to identify source  Vancomycin indicated for any child with risk factors for MRSA or highly-resistant S. pneumoniae  Risk factors for MRSA: Bone/joint/deep tissue infection; history or family history of MRSA infection or recurrent boils  Risk factors for highly-resistant S. pneumoniae: recent B-lactam exposure, daycare attendance, non-vaccinated  When vancomycin is ordered, it should be administered after the antibiotic listed above it

Rapid Bolus Administration / Contraindications At all team discussions, discuss criteria for calling MRT, and call MRT is needed Recommend calling MRT if patient has abnormal perfusion after 60 ml / kg fluid resuscitation (can also call earlier) MRT and Disposition Considerations If risk for adrenal insufficiency: Catecholamine resistant shock Chronic steroid use Home stress dose steroid use Known adrenal hyperplasia Stress Dose Hydrocortisone Recommendations Initial Care - First Hour(s) Boluses should be 20 ml / KG NS via push pull or rapid infuser; adjust volume for patients with contraindications Patients who may need smaller boluses include: neonates < 1 month, those with signs of heart failure, and sickle cell patients with risk of cardiomyopathy; cardiology patients should have an echo after the 2nd bolus Some patients need pressors after only 40 ml/KG fluids; consider earlier if signs of overload including rales, hepatomegaly or increasing respiratory distress with fluid administration Select patients based on clinician suspicion/underlying conditions: LFTs, HCG, CXR, CSF/viral/wound/trach studies as needed These may be subtle in early, compensated shock: Delayed (>2 sec) capillary refill Cool, pale skin Altered mental status – sleepy, drowsy, fussy, irritable Weaker peripheral pulses In warm shock: flash capillary refill, bounding pulses Signs of Altered Perfusion

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