As with Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock presentation can be determined based on provider documentation OR on clinical indicators. To determine the presentation of septic shock:
- First you MUST have Severe Sepsis
- Second you MUST have EITHER
- An Initial Lactate Level >=4 {if the lactate level is the last indicator use result time} OR
- Hypotension prior to crystalloid fluid administration and hypotension that persists within one hour after crystalloid fluid administration ends.
- For purposes of determining Septic Shock hypotension that persists after the conclusion of fluid administration, requires two consecutive systolic blood pressure reading <90 or two consecutive mean arterial pressure (MAP) reading <65.
- If you have an initial Lactate Level >= 4, but no Severe Sepsis, then you do not have Septic Shock
- If you have hypotension, but no Severe Sepsis, then you do not have Septic Shock
*Content is based on Specifications Manual Version 5.0b – October 2015 through June 2016 discharges.
**The article is part of the Registry Partners Quality Division Sepsis Newsletter. Follow the blog to read more articles from the Newsletter or contact us to receive a copy of the full newsletter to share with your team!