Children not getting appropriate septic shock treatment

13 Jan 2009

A report in Archives of Diseases in Childhood has found that most children with septic shock are not getting appropriate treatment in A&E.

After a six-month study it was found that best practice for treatment was only followed in 38% of cases.

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition in which tissues become damaged and blood pressure drops due to bacteria multiplying and producing poisons in the blood.

The American College of Critical Care recommends that fluid replacement should be given to increase blood volume. The college also recommends using inotropic drugs to increase blood pressure.

The report looked at the cases of 200 children admitted to 17 intensive care units across the country in 2007 and found that this kind of treatment was only given in 38% of cases.

Dr David Inwald, the study leader and clinical senior lecturer in paediatric intensive care at Imperial College, said: “It was a surprise that the guidelines weren’t followed in so many children.

“We now need to look more carefully at what’s happening in A&E departments – there definitely seems to be a problem.”

Georgina Sheldon, a Sheffield-based clinical negligence solicitor for Patientlawyers.com, said: “The findings of this study are alarming. The research demonstrates the vital importance of adequate hospital protocols and guidelines but clearly it must be remembered that these are ineffective in the absence of appropriate staff training and knowledge.”

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