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Table 2 Characteristics of 61 septic patients presenting to the ED with chief complaint DGC and 516 septic patients with other ED presentations (the sepsis reference group)

From: Longer time to antibiotics and higher mortality among septic patients with non-specific presentations -a cross sectional study of Emergency Department patients indicating that a screening tool may improve identification

 

Septic patients presenting with ED chief complaint DGC

DGC reference group

 

n = 61

n = 61

Variable

Median (IQR)

Number (%a)

Median (IQR)

Number (%a)

P-value

Age, year

78(67–85)

 

80(71–88)

 

.140

Gender

    

.034

 -male

 

39(63.9)

 

28(45.9)

 

ED Vital parameters

     

 -Respiratory rate (breaths/min)

24 (20–26)

 

20(16–24)

 

.001

 -Oxygen saturation (%)oxygen

94 (90–96)

 

96(93–98)

 

.005

 -Heart rate (beats/min)

89(78–107)

 

81(68–89)

 

.002

 -Temperature (°C)

37.3(36.7–38.1)

 

36.9(36.3–37.2)

 

.001

 -Systolic blood pressure

120(107–145)

 

135(120–160)

 

.007

 -Altered mental status

 

31 (50.8)

 

15(24.6)

.005

ED Plasma Glucose mmol/l

6.9 (6.1–7.8)

 

6.0(5.2–7.7)

 

.015

History of infection

 

55(90.2)

 

33(54.1)

.000

Fulfilment of Robsonb

 

34(63.0)

 

13(31.7)

.002

Clinical judgment sepsis

 

15(24.6)

 

0(0.0)

.000

Diabetes

 

9(14.8)

 

11(18.0)

.404

ED Triage priority

    

.000

 -Red (%)

 

5(8.2)

 

1(1.6)

 

 -Orange (%)

 

18(29.5)

 

7(11.5)

 

 -Yellow (%)

 

32(52.5)

 

25(41.0)

 

 -Green (%)

 

6(9.8)

 

28(45.9)

 

 -Blue (%)

 

0(0.0)

 

0(0.0)

 

In-hospital mortality

 

20(32.8)

 

2(3.3)

.000

  1. DGC decreased general condition; ED emergency department; IQR interquartil range
  2. aof patients with documentation of parameter
  3. bA history suggestive of a new infection and fulfilment of two or more of the following criteria: temperature < 36°C or > 38.3°C, heart rate >90 beats/min, respiratory rate >20 breaths/min, acutely altered mental status, plasma glucose >6.6 mmol/ L (unless diabetic) is considered positive for sepsis. All necessary parameters are documented