A primary focus of the guidelines relates to initial
resuscitation and diagnosis of sepsis, based in
part on the results of research that have established
the importance of early recognition and treatment
of sepsis in reducing mortality rates. A primary recommendation
in the new guidelines is the use of a
protocolized approach to resuscitation in patients
with sepsis-induced tissue hypoperfusion (defined
as hypotension persisting after initial fluid challenge
or blood lactate concentration ≥4 mmol/L). Methods
for augmenting perfusion should be implemented
as soon as possible and not delayed until the patient
is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This
change has implications for nursing care of patients
in emergency departments and patients in general
clinical units awaiting transfer to the ICU. within the
guidelines, it is highlighted that the goals of initial
resuscitation during the first 6 hours of sepsis-induced
hypoperfusion should include all of the following
(grade 1C):
(a) Central venous pressure 8–12 mm hg
(b) Mean arterial pressure (MAp) ≥65 mm hg
(c) Urine output ≥0.5 mL/kg·per hour
(d) Central venous (superior vena cava) oxygen saturation
70% or mixed venous oxygen saturation 65%.
The guidelines advocate use of blood lactate
levels as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion, targeting
returning lactate levels to normal as rapidly as possible
(grade 2C). In addition, if a central venous
oxygen saturation less than 70% or a mixed venous
oxygen saturation less than 65% persists during the
first 6 hours of resuscitation despite adequate repletion
of intravascular volume, dobutamine infusion
(to a maximum of 20 μg/kg per minute) or transfusion
of packed red blood cells to achieve a hematocrit
of at least 30% are additional options to achieve
the oxygen saturation goals.1 Barriers to initiating
and monitoring early quantitative resuscitation have
been associated with limited availability of equipment
and competence of clinicians. Although controversy
surrounds the use of central venous pressure and
oxygen saturation as end points of resuscitation,
protocols that use central venous pressure and venous
blood gas levels are easily established in both the
emergency department and the ICU.11 Additional
technologies to measure flow and volumetric indices
are available. however, these techniques have limited
effectiveness in influencing the clinical outcomes
of early resuscitation to treat sepsis