Sepsis Code in emergency department: Performance of q-SOFA score compared to SIRS score

Abstract

Introduction: The early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis remains a challenge in hospital emergency departments.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the performance of the qSOFA (quick Sequential related Organ Failure Assessment) for activating a Sepsis Code in the emergency department, compared to applying previous criteria based on SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

Methods: Patients ≥18years were included who consulted an emergency department of a tertiary hospital over two periods of time (May-October 2015), using SIRS criteria (SIRS Group) and over the same months in 2017 using qSOFA criteria (qSOFA Group).

Results: One hundred and five episodes were analysed: 70 corresponded to the SIRS Group and 55 to the qSOFA Group. The groups were comparable in terms of history, with a greater presence of neoplastic disease in the qSOFA Group. No differences were observed in the form of presentation, the action taken in the emergency department, admissions to critical care units, use of vasopressors or mean hospital stay between the two groups. A higher 30-day mortality rate was observed in the qSOFA group (21.81% vs. 4.3%; P=.003). In the multivariate study, neoplastic disease was noteworthy as an independent factor of poor prognosis (OR 5.36; P=.01), and activation using the SIRS criteria as a factor of good prognosis (OR .15; P=.021).

Conclusions: The activation of the Sepsis Code using qSOFA criteria results in a reduction in detection, with greater associated mortality. Other complementary tools need to be sought for the early detection of sepsis in the emergency department.

Keywords: Código sepsis; Emergency department; Sepsis; Sepsis code; Urgencias; qSOFA.