S3 Guideline: Sepsis 2018

Sepsis is an acute life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from an inadequate host response to an infection. The diagnosis of sepsis-associated organ dysfunction should be based on a change of >= 2 points using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. An intravenous crystalloid solution should be administered within the first 3 hours to achieve a haemodynamic stabilisation of the patient. A 0.9% NaCl solution should NOT be used. A schematic minimum infusion amount and a general target value for the mean arterial blood pressure are not recommended. Intravenous anti-infectives should be administered as soon as possible if possible within 1 hour after confirmed diagnosis. The application of an empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic or multiple antibiotics is recommended in order to account for all significant bacteria. Measurements of the procalcitonin value should be done to shorten the duration of antimicrobial therapy.