es include guidance from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
The guideline bundles available for hospitals include critical care, intensive care, clinical practice guidelines, and severe sepsis guidelines. All of the guidelines are based on evidence-based practices and are intended to improve outcomes for patients. The essential guidelines include:
- Hospitals must measure serum lactate levels in patients with severe sepsis within three hours of a diagnosis being made.
- Hospitals must obtain blood cultures within three hours of diagnosis.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics must be initiated within three hours of diagnosis.
- Healthcare providers should being rapid administration of crystalloid if hypotension (low blood pressure) is diagnosed, or if serum lactate levels are below a certain level.
- If, during or after fluid resuscitation, the patient’s blood pressure is still low, vasopressors should be applied.
- If the patient is diagnosed as being in septic shock, a further series of steps must be followed within six hours.
It is important that healthcare providers and staff adhere to infection control policies in order to preserve patient safety and health.
Infection In Hospitals Could be a Sign of Negligence
Healthcare facilities have a tremendous responsibility to care for patients and maintain an environment that is safe and healthy. Often, hospitals are kept clean and safe, and infection control policies are followed. Sadly, as the data discussed above shows, there are plenty of reports of noncompliance to raise concern.
Sepsis in hospitals could be the result of unavoidable complications, or it could be a sign of negligence. If hospital staff do not follow infection control guidelines, then patients may be at risk for developing preventable illnesses or complications.