Perfil epidemiológico e clínico dos pacientes com abertura de protocolo de sepse em uma unidade de pronto atendimento

Abstract

Sepsis constitutes an important public health problem, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates and the need for early recognition in urgent and emergency care services. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of patients who underwent sepsis protocol activation in an Emergency Care Unit. This was a quantitative, descriptive, documentary, and retrospective study, conducted through the analysis of secondary data obtained from the institutional records of sepsis protocols in an Emergency Care Unit in the municipality of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Alagoas (Approval No. 7.878.234). The sample comprised 173 patients treated between January and June 2025. A slight predominance of females, a higher frequency of older adults, a high occurrence of NEWS-2 scores ≥7, and the presence of organ dysfunctions at admission were observed. Among the infectious foci, pulmonary, urinary and abdominal origins were the most frequent. In cases classified as sepsis and septic shock, a predominance of two organ dysfunctions and three or more organ dysfunctions, respectively, was identified, as well as a higher frequency of elevated lactate levels. A high frequency of cases subsequently classified as sepsis ruled out was also observed. Among the available records, adherence to the first-hour bundle was observed in most evaluated patients, along with a predominance of antibiotic therapy records compatible with the identified infectious focus, in addition to weaknesses related to incomplete healthcare records. It was concluded that patients undergoing sepsis protocol activation presented a clinical profile compatible with a high risk of clinical deterioration at admission, reinforcing the importance of early identification, timely implementation of therapeutic measures, and improvement of healthcare records in urgent and emergency care services.