Analysis of clinical management and outcomes of sepsis in ICU and HICU: A prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Sepsis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in critical care units. It is essential to understand the clinical patterns of sepsis, various causes, and complications in the ICU and HICU settings. This study aims to understand the causes and analyse the different treatment approaches that affect the clinical outcomes in the management of sepsis. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 60 patients admitted to the ICU and HICU with a diagnosis of sepsis were included. Patients' demographic details, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, sources and complications of sepsis were collected and analyzed. Results: In our study, 71.6% of patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics, among which the most frequently used agents were meropenem (46.7%) and colistin (20%). The most common sources of sepsis were the genitourinary tract (40%) and respiratory tract (23.3%). Acinetobacter sp. (17.2%), Klebsiella sp. (14.1%) and Escherichia coli (14.8%) were the most regularly isolated pathogens. Septic shock (70% of patients, 45.2% death) and acute renal injury (50% incidence, 40% mortality) were the most common complications. The mean SOFA score was 10.1, indicating substantial organ failure, and there was no correlation with mortality. The overall mortality rate was 45%, and the median hospital stay was 14.5 days. Conclusions: The study focuses on managing sepsis in critical patients with comorbidities at a tertiary care hospital. Respiratory and genitourinary tract infections were the leading cause of death, whereas septic shock and acute renal injury were the most common complications. Early identification, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and intensive management are crucial to improve patient outcomes.