Septic Shock

Septic shock still remains the one of the leading causes of death in hospital patients. It is fast becoming a major health care problem among hospitalized patients. Barely more than 50% of the patients with severe sepsis survive their hospital admission. This unacceptable high mortality can only be reduced if there is greater awareness and understanding of the condition and the knowledge of most effective treatment measures available. Most studies of septic shock report a male preponderance. The percentage of male patients varies from 52–66%.9¹

Sepsis and septic shock occur at all ages but most often in elderly patients. At present, most sepsis episodes are observed in patients older than 60 years. Advanced age is a risk factor for acquiring nosocomial blood stream infection in the development of severe forms of sepsis.