In 2001, Rivers showed that an Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT) was associated with improved survival and this approach was included in the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommended bundles. The optimal treatment of septic patients is still under debate. As the incidence is increasing, sepsis burden will pose a challenge to our Health Care System. Overall incidence of sepsis in western countries seems to be increasing over years, with absolute mortality growing. Mortality rate in Italy appear to be as high as 40%. The worldwide epidemiology of sepsis was recently estimated in a 2016 review, suggesting a global number of more than 31 million sepsis cases and 5 million deaths from sepsis merely in the hospital setting.

Sepsis is a rapidly evolving acute disease with high risk of deterioration and death if not identified and both rapidly and adequately treated. 29 out of 38 statements were universally accepted, 9 statements didn’t reach the adequate scoring to be accepted. The survey was sent to 78 Italian Emergency physicians, 54 of which answered (69%). A modified Delphi method was used to analyse the opinions on 38 statements. This is part of a project to develop a national policy to improve diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in Emergency Medicine. Our aim is to assess Italian Emergency physician knowledge and agreement with SSC recommendations. Although international literature shows that compliance to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) recommendations improves survival, there is no widespread appliance of this optimal standard of care, especially in Italy.

Severe sepsis and septic shock are major healthcare problems, affecting millions of people around the world each year, killing one in four (and often more), and increasing in incidence. Sepsis is a rapid evolving acute disease with high risk of deterioration and death if not identified and both rapidly and adequately treated.

Emergency medical conferences 2016