Sepsis — Detailed H&P to Identify Potential Source of Infection — Clinical Pathway: Emergency Department, Inpatient and PICU

Sepsis Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department, Inpatient and PICU

Detailed H&P to Identify Potential Source of Infection

Review of detailed H&P findings, imaging studies, and laboratory data may identify an infectious source.

Prompt involvement of appropriate consultants for urgent definitive therapy (drainage, debridement, surgical intervention) may be warranted.

Adjust antibiotic therapy based on suspected infectious source identified.

HPI

  • Presence of headache, neck pain or stiffness
  • Change in behavior, mental status
  • Cough, rhinorrhea, shortness of breath, sore throat, facial pain
  • Abdominal pain (location and quality), vomiting (bilious), diarrhea
  • Dysuria, frequency, urgency, back pain
  • Vaginal discharge, recent sexual activity, LMP, use of tampons if adolescent female
  • Joint pain, myalgias, joint swelling or redness
  • Rash
  • Recent wounds, insect bites, breaks in skin integrity
  • Ill contacts
  • Immunization history
  • Current or recent antibiotic use
  • Recent travel
  • History of IV drug use
  • Erythema or drainage at line exit site