ABSTRACT
Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in emergency department (ED) settings worldwide. Early diagnosis is crucial to improving patient outcomes, as delayed treatment is associated with higher mortality rates. Rapid diagnostic tools have emerged as potentially valuable resources in identifying sepsis earlier in the ED. However, their effectiveness in routine clinical practice needed comprehensive evaluation.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of rapid diagnostic tools in improving the early diagnosis and management of sepsis in the emergency department.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 500 patients presenting with suspected sepsis to the ED of a tertiary care hospital between June 2023 and May 2024. Patient records were reviewed for clinical outcomes, time to diagnosis, and overall mortality. Rapid diagnostic tools assessed included biomarkers like procalcitonin and lactate levels, alongside automated sepsis alert systems integrated with electronic health records. Effectiveness was measured by time to initiation of sepsis treatment, diagnostic accuracy, and comparison of patient outcomes with conventional diagnostic methods.
Results: The use of rapid diagnostic tools significantly reduced the time to diagnosis and treatment initiation (mean reduction of 35%). Patients diagnosed using these tools had improved clinical outcomes, with a 20% reduction in ICU admissions and a 15% lower mortality rate compared to those diagnosed using conventional methods. The tools also demonstrated high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (88%) in identifying septic patients.
Conclusion: Rapid diagnostic tools proved to be effective in enhancing early diagnosis and management of sepsis in the ED, contributing to improved patient outcomes, lower ICU admission rates, and reduced mortality. Integrating these tools in ED protocols may provide substantial clinical benefits in sepsis management.
Keywords: Sepsis, emergency department, rapid diagnostic tools, early diagnosis, procalcitonin, lactate levels, patient outcomes.