Advanced Triage Protocol: The Role of an Automated Lactate Order in Expediting Rapid Identification of Patients at Risk of Sepsis in the Emergency Department.

Implementation of a computerized lactate order using readily available data obtained during ED triage, combined with point-of-care lactate testing, improves time to lactate blood draw and lactate result in patients at risk for severe sepsis. Initial lactate levels correlated with admission to the hospital, admission to the ICU, and in-hospital mortality.