World Sepsis Day 2016: The News In Diagnostics Of Sepsis And Septic Shock By The Third International Consensus Definitions For Sepsis And Septic Shock (Sepsis-3)

The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis – 3) newly reviewed the aspects of sepsis as a polymorphous and clinically specific syndrome caused by infection and presented new diagnostic criteria for sepsis and septic shock. According to these criteria changes in definitions were also made. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when a dysregulated host response to infection harms organisms’ own tissues and organs resulting in organ dysfunction. There are no specific clinical criteria for dysregulated systemic inflammatory response. Therefore in clinical practice organ dysfunction should be evaluated by an increase in the Sequential (sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score by ≥2 points compared to primary evaluation. In out-of-hospital, emergency department or general hospital ward settings patients with suspected infection will have a higher risk of sepsis when 2 out of 3 quick SOFA (qSOFA) criteria are found. Septic shock is described as sepsis with persistent hypotension, when particularly profound cellular, metabolic and circulatory abnormalities of all organs can be found. Therefore septic shock is associated with a greater risk of mortality. The term “severe sepsis” has become excessive after recognizing a changed perspective in sepsis’ pathobiology. Conclusion: The new clinical criteria presented in the Sepsis-3 consensus offer greater consistency with the renewed definitions of sepsis and septic shock. It seeks better outcomes by offering more reliable tools for early diagnostics and faster help for patients with suspected sepsis. A new easy-to-use algorithm can be beneficial not only in primary but also in secondary objective patient assessment in out-of-hospital and various settings of inpatient care.