One of the most important way of controlling infection is to control the source of infection and stop the progression of sepsis.
These include Pinpoint the source of infection, prompt administration of antibiotics intravenously.Find out if patient have any invasive devices that may be the source of infection such as urinary catheters, prosthesis or intravenous devices or wound. History of recent surgery or trauma, live in a long term setting much may increase the risk of community acquired infection or nosocomial infection from long term hospitalization. Is there a productive cough which may indicate Pneumonia. Debridement of the wound and removal of the catheters.Taking care of source of infection is very important. Additional sources that need to be controlled include:implanted device infection, necrotizing soft tissue infection, cholangitis, Pyelonephritis, gastrointestinal perforation, intraabdominal abcesses etc.
Some of the images use to pinpoint the source of infection are:
Xrays :Chest xrays are very useful for pinpointing and evaluating lungs infection such as pneumonia.
CT scan for infection of the kidneys, the pancreas bowel and infection in the appendix. Ultrasound is use to diagnose the infection of the ovaries and gallbladder.
MRI known as Magnetic resonance imaging are useful in visualizing infection of soft tissue such as abcesses of the spine.
Reccommendation is that antibiotics is to be given for seven to ten days.Ideally antibiotics should begin quickly as soon as the appropriate culture is done .Antibiotics should be a broad spectrum or a combination of both.Assess patient for allergy to any of the ordered antibiotic. The Antibiotics for Sepsis can include the following:Vancomycin, Cefatoxime,Merrem(Meropenem),Ceftazidime,Zosyn, Unasyn(Ampicillin and Sulbactam),Levaquin, Imipenem/Cilastatin),Clindamycin.
Studies have shown that early intervention with the appropriate antibiotics tend to decrease the time on antibiotic treatment and improve the patients outcomes.
Nurses You Move Me 