Pharma To Date

Introduction:

Sepsis is a critical health crisis that takes millions of lives around the world, often due to delays in diagnosis and varying treatment methods. Even with the progress we've made in critical care, healthcare professionals (HCPs) still encounter significant hurdles in effectively managing sepsis.

To address these issues, a comprehensive survey was carried out, focusing on infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, and intensivists throughout India. The aim? To reveal real-world practices, pinpoint treatment obstacles, and inspire meaningful advancements in sepsis care.

Objectives: What Was the Survey Designed to Accomplish?

The survey had three main objectives:

1. Examine Current Sepsis Management Practices – How are HCPs diagnosing and treating sepsis in ICUs?

2. Identify Major Challenges – What barriers stand in the way of optimal sepsis care?

3. Assess Protocol Compliance – Are standardized treatment guidelines being adhered to?

By collecting insights from over 300 HCPs, the survey sought to inform future interventions and improve sepsis outcomes.

Strategy: How Were Healthcare Professionals Engaged?

To maximize participation, a multi-channel outreach campaign was deployed:

Targeted HCP Engagement

Phased Survey Execution

• Phase 1: April – June 2024
• Phase 2: October – November 2024

Outreach Tactics

• SMS Campaigns – Weekly reminders to boost participation
• Medical Learning Platforms – Leveraging trusted sources for engagement
• Website Promotions – Ensuring visibility among specialists

This strategy generated 46,342 impressions and secured 304 completed responses, exceeding expectations.

Key Findings: What Did the Survey Reveal?

1. Sepsis Prevalence in ICUs

• 10–30% of ICU cases involved sepsis monthly, highlighting its heavy burden.

2. Most Common Pathogens

Takeaway: Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections remain a major concern.

3. Diagnostic Practices

• 59.9% routinely tested for carbapenemase genes.
• Gaps existed in consistent access to advanced diagnostic tools.

4. Treatment Trends

• First-line therapy: Carbapenems (63.6%)
• Treatment duration: Over 7 days (42.9%)
• 87.8% adjusted treatment based on microbiology results.

5. Protocol Adherence

• 86.1% followed standardized sepsis protocols.
• Room for improvement: Wider adoption and training needed.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Sepsis Management

This survey really brought to light some significant gaps in sepsis care, covering everything from diagnostics to how well treatments are followed. While most healthcare professionals stick to the protocols, there are still hurdles like a lack of diagnostic tools and the ongoing issue of extended antibiotic use.

• Next Steps:
• Boost the diagnostic capabilities in hospitals.
• Broaden training programs to ensure protocols are consistently followed.
• Promote antimicrobial stewardship to tackle resistance.

By taking these steps, the healthcare community can enhance sepsis care, lower mortality rates, and ultimately save more lives.