Predictors of mortality in emergency department patients with sepsis scored 2 or 3 on the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scale.

OBJECTIVES

To identify predictors of mortality after implementation of a treatment protocol in the first 3 hours for patients who come to our emergency department with sepsis scored 2 or 3 on the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) scale.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Our team identified adult emergency department patients with a diagnosis of sepsis on starting the morning shift between September 2018 and March 2019. We selected patients whose qSOFA score on arrival was 2 or 3. Variables were explored statistically to identify factors associated with mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients with a mean (SD) age of 72 (16) years were included. Thirty-three (37%) died. Univariate analysis detected that the only qSOFA indicator that was significantly associated with mortality was altered mentation (level of consciousness), which was noted in 79% of patients who died versus 54% of survivors (P=.02). Other variables associated with higher mortality were age 70 years or older, an order to limit therapeutic interventions in emergencies, and lactic acid levels on first and second extractions. The treatment protocol was completed in 42% of the cases and compliance was associated with a lower mortality rate of 21% versus 54% when the protocol was not fully implemented (P=.003). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that risk for death was higher when the full protocol was not implemented within 3 hours of arrival (hazard ratio, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.15-6.21; P=.02).

CONCLUSION

Full implementation of the protocol within 3 hours of hospital arrival favors survival in patients with sepsis and qSOFA scores of 2 or 3 on arrival. We recommend that emergency departments organize ways to train staff in the use of a sepsis treatment protocol and improve compliance.