The association of body temperature with antibiotic therapy and mortality in patients attending the emergency department with suspected infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background and importance

Previous studies found that septic patients with normothermia have higher mortality than patients with fever. We hypothesize that antibiotic therapy is less frequently initiated if infectious patients present with normothermia to the emergency department (ED).

Objectives

To examine the association of body temperature with the initiation of antibiotic therapy in patients attending the ED with suspected and proven infection. Additionally, the association of temperature with 30-day mortality was assessed.

Design, settings and participants

We conducted a retrospective cohort study between 2012 and 2016 at a tertiary university hospital. Adult patients attending the ED with a blood culture taken (i.e. suspected infection) and a positive blood cult

SUBMITTER: Schuttevaer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8549457 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature