Impact of a Coordinated Sepsis Response on Time to Treatment in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

BACKGROUND Sepsis is responsible for 75 000 pediatric hospitalizations annually, with an associated mortality rate estimated between 11% and 19%. Evidence supports the use of timely fluid resuscitation and antibiotics to decrease morbidity and mortality. Our emergency department did not meet the timeliness goals for fluid and antibiotic administration suggested by the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign. METHODS In November 2018, we implemented a sepsis response team utilizing a scripted communication tool and a dedicated sepsis supply cart to address timeliness barriers. Performance was evaluated using statistical process control charts. We conducted observations to evaluate adherence to the new process. Our aim was to meet the Surviving Sepsis Campaign’s timeliness goals for first fluid and antibiotic administration (20 and 60 minutes, respectively) within 8 months of our intervention. RESULTS We observed sustained decreases in mean time to fluids. We also observed a shift in the proportion of patients receiving fluids within 20 minutes. No shifts were observed for timely antibiotic administration. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of a dedicated emergency department sepsis response team with designated roles and responsibilities, directed communication, and easily accessible supplies can lead to improvements in the timeliness of fluid administration in the pediatric population.