Sepsis
Formal Definition
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Sepsis-3 criteria: suspected infection + SOFA score increase >= 2).
How It's Used on the Ward
"This patient looks septic" - meaning they appear to have a systemic infection causing hemodynamic instability.
Example
""Temp 39.2, HR 124, BP 88/52, lactate 4.2. This patient meets SIRS criteria and I'm concerned for sepsis. Let's start the sepsis bundle.""
Clinical Context
Sepsis recognition and management is one of the most tested and most clinically important topics. Know the definitions and the bundles.
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