Prehospital management of sepsis with IV antibiotics: a UK literature review

Abstract

Background: Sepsis mortality rates increase if prompt treatment is not administered. The Sepsis Six care bundle advocates the early administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics to reduce mortality and morbidity but this is not routinely practised nationally in UK prehospital settings, although UK ambulance services regularly attend septic patients. Aims: A literature review was conducted to investigate knowledge around paramedics' ability to recognise and treat prehospital sepsis with intravenous antibiotics in the UK and the impact of this on patient outcomes. Methods: A search was conducted and the three eligible studies included underwent a structured critical appraisal and thematic analysis. Findings: Three themes emerged: diagnostic accuracy; administration of prehospital antibiotics; and impact on patient outcomes. Conclusion: There is a significant gap in evidence in this field in the UK, and it was difficult to make generalised recommendations from the studies. Paramedics have the potential to be highly accurate in the recognition of sepsis and administer intravenous antibiotics when following a protocol. No major studies measure patient outcomes following prehospital intravenous antibiotics administration by paramedics in the UK and large empirical studies should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of this.