Infection Control in The Critical Care Environment

Sepsis

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Sepsis – the state of being infected with pus–producing organisms, usually used to refer to a major systemic or system–wide infection; a systeminc inflammatory response to infection; clinically manifested by two or more of the following conditions: (1) temperature >38fC or <36fC; (2) heart rate >90 beats/minute; (3) respiratory rate >20 breaths/min or PaCO₂ <32 mm HG; and (4) WBC count >12,000/mm³ or <4,000/mm³some, or >10% immature (band) forms.

Severe sepsis is sepsis associated with organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion, or hypotension, the latter two may include lactic acidosis, oliguria, or an acute alteration in mental state.