New CBC parameter helps Emergency Physicians in sepsis diagnosis

Sepsis is an often-deadly condition that affects 49 million people worldwide every year¹ and is increasing at a rate of 1.5% annually.² Timely and accurate detection solutions in the acute-care setting are key components to stopping the progression of sepsis, as patients with less severe sepsis can progress to severe sepsis or septic shock within 72 hours.³ Up to half of patients with sepsis die ^2,4. In addition to the human toll, this global crisis places a significant clinical and economic burden on the healthcare system.⁵ A clear link exists between the timeliness of treatment and the possibility of death. When antibiotics are administered early to patients with septic shock, the likelihood of death is decreased by 7.6% per hour. ⁶

Beckman Coulter, a laboratory instrument manufacturer over 80 years, provides European CE Marked and FDA approved Early Sepsis Indicator, a hematology-based solution designed to alert emergency department clinicians to the possibility of sepsis or risk of developing sepsis. The first early sepsis warning solution to be offered as part of a routine CBC with differential test, the Early Sepsis Indicator gives physicians a rapid and simple tool that can aid in the fight against sepsis. The new marker is commercially available on DxH 900 hematology analyzer.

1. Rudd, et al., Lancet. 2020 Jan 18;395(10219):200-211..
2. Angus DC, van der Poll T. “Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock.” N Engl J Med, vol. 369. 2013, pp. 840–51.
3. Glickman SW et al. “Disease Progression in Hemodynamically Stable Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Sepsis.” Acad Emerg Med, vol. 17. 2010, pp. 383–90.
4. Engel C, Brunkhorst FM, Bone HG et al. “Epidemiology of Sepsis in Germany: Results from a National Prospective Multicenter Study.” Intensive Care Med, vol. 33. 2007, pp. 606–18.
5. Torio C, Moore B. “National Inpatient Hospital Costs: The Most Expensive Conditions by Payer.” http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb204-Most-Expensive-Hospital-Conditions.pdf, May 2016. Accessed January 15, 2018.
6. Kumar A, Roberts D, Wood KE et al. “Duration of Hypotension Before Initiation of Effective Antimicrobial Therapy is the Critical Determinant of Survival in Human Septic Shock.” Crit Care Med, vol. 34. 2006, pp.1589–96.