Improved administration of antibiotics to septic patients requires interventional support from many fronts, according to a study published in the British Journal of Quality and Safety.
Researchers put an intervention in place to improve sepsis management for patients developing the condition in a hospital. The intervention included both printed and electronic clinical guidance for providers, educational team meetings during which sepsis management data was presented and monthly performance feedback for providers.
Results showed little change in antibiotic administration times, medical review times, taking blood cultures before antibiotic administration and measuring blood lactate levels.
Researchers noted statistical analysis of many sepsis management improvement studies may be lacking, and the effectiveness of common sepsis management improvement techniques may be overstated. In addition, the research team stressed the importance of including good design, effective evaluation methods and iterative improvement in creating effective quality improvement interventions.
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