Purpose We assessed the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in emergency triage for predicting sepsis-related outcomes. Methods A retrospective chart review of all cases enrolled in the sepsis management protocol for a one-year duration. The protocol utilized the NEWS as a screening tool for sepsis in the triage area. Primary outcomes of interest were hyperlactatemia, admission to ICU and intrahospital mortality. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for a given NEWS. Results A total of 444 patients were reviewed from July 2018 to June 2019, with a mean age of 58.7 years. A NEWS ≥5 was more than 88% sensitive in predicting hyperlactatemia, ICU admission, and/or mortality. Specificity, on the other hand, was as low as 12%. The AUC for the NEWS was 0.667 for predicting hyperlactatemia and 0.602 for predicting ICU admission or mortality. Conclusion The NEWS was a sensitive screening tool for predicting sepsis-related outcomes. However, it was not specific, and further studies are recommended to assess the integration of other factors to improve specificity.

Objectives: To assess the mortality benefits of timely antibiotic treatment of adults present at the emergency department with sepsis and compare one-hour administration and 3-hour administration starting from the time of triage.Methods: In this retrospective study, we used secondary data analysis to investigate the utility of the National Early Warning Score as a predictor of mortality in sepsis patients between

Background: COVID-19 infection is associated with high mortality, and despite extensive studying the scientific society is still working to find a definitive treatment. Some experts postulated a beneficial role of Deferoxamine. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients admitted to the ICU who received deferoxamine to those who received standard of care. Methods: Prospective observational cohort study, in the ICU of a tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia to compare all-cause hospital mortality between COVID-19 patients who received deferoxamine and standard of care. Results: A total of 205 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 50.1±14.3, 150 patients received standard of care only, and 55 patients received deferoxamine additionally. Hospital mortality was lower in deferoxamine group (25.5 vs. 40.7%, 95% CI=1.3–29.2%; P=0.045). Clinical status score upon discharge was lower in deferoxamine group (3.6±4.3 vs. 6.2±4, 95% CI: 1.4–3.9; P<0.001), as was the difference between discharge score and admission score (indicating clinical improvement). More patients admitted with mechanical ventilation were successfully extubated in the deferoxamine group (61.5 vs. 14.3%, 95% CI: 15–73%; P=0.001), with a higher median ventilator-free days. There were no differences between groups in adverse events. Deferoxamine group was associated with hospital mortality [odds ratio=0.46 (95% CI: 0.22–0.95); P=0.04]. Conclusions: Deferoxamine may have mortality and clinical improvement benefits in COVID-19 adults admitted to ICU. Further powered and controlled studies are required.