Although use of antimicrobials and vasopressors may improve
outcomes, the mortality rate in older adults with sepsis
remains high. Furthermore, older adults that survive sepsis
are likely to suffer from a significant decline in functional status.
Martin et al [3] identified that among elderly patients discharged
after a hospitalization for sepsis, over half did not return
home, with most requiring admission to a long-term
care facility. A larger study by Iwashyna et al [25] found that older adults who survived severe sepsis were more likely to have
new cognitive impairment and functional decline compared
with those with nonsepsis admissions. Our descriptive results
support prior research, which show that older adults have a significant
decline in functional status after hospitalization for
sepsis.
Our findings, along with the existing literature, may have important
implications in the treatment of older adults with sepsis.
Despite benefit of therapies recommended by the Surviving
Sepsis Campaign, older adults have a high mortality rate and
functional decline after ICU admission for sepsis. Efforts to improve
outcomes of older adults with sepsis by evaluating measures
that impact mortality are needed. However, it may be
equally important to address end-of-life planning before and
during such acute care episodes [26]. Furthermore, during a
hospitalization for sepsis, patients, families, and physicians
should be aware of the potential need for posthospitalization