How to Prevent Septic Shock

Sepsis is the presence of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) in an infection setting. Septic shock is a complication of sepsis marked by organ hyperfusion and hypotension that does not respond well to fluid resuscitation. It is commonly caused by meningococci and staphylococci and usually begins with shaking chills followed by confusion and fever. The following steps will show how to prevent septic shock.

Instructions

• 1

  Admit patients with severe sepsis to an intensive care unit (ICU). Treat SIRS in the ICU with Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT) to prevent it from progressing to septic shock. EGDT relies on prompt recognition of sepsis in the emergency room.

• 2

  Administer early broad-spectrum antibiotics as a prophylaxis to septic shock. Continue treatment with general antibiotics until the organisms responsible for the sepsis can be cultured and a more specific therapy is determined.

• 3

  Provide aggressive crystalloid fluid resuscitation to restore the blood volume. A volume of 4 to 6 liters should generally be administered before beginning vasopressor therapy.

• 4

  Continue with EGDT for patients who do not respond to the initial antibiotics and fluid replacement. Monitor the central venous pressure and artery occlusive pressure to determine the specific type of shock and replace large fluid volumes. Septic shock typically does not affect these measurements unlike cardiogenic, hypovolemic and obstructive shock. Keep elderly patients under especially close observation because they are more susceptible to septic shock.

• 5

  Consult a surgeon on treating abdominal infections with surgery when indicated.