Review of trigger tools to support the early identification of sepsis in healthcare settings

This systematic review was commissioned to investigate trigger tools that promote the early detection of sepsis symptoms, including the use of lactate testing in patients experiencing rapid clinical deterioration or suspected of having infection.



This integrative systematic review sought to address the following:

1.  Identify tools and triggers used for the early identification of sepsis
2.  Determine the relevant parameters and what, if any, additional measures should be considered for minimum requirements for clinical monitoring
3.  Describe and evaluate the evidence according to a validated level of evidence classification and critical appraisal quality assessment tools
4.  Describe and evaluate the evidence within prehospital, emergency departments (ED) and acute care settings for neonatal, paediatric, maternal and adult patient cohorts
5.  Determine whether serum lactate (sLA), point of care lactate (pLA), or a surrogate measure, improves the performance of selected triggers and so should be added to minimum monitoring requirements and any existing tool(s).