Use of a Clinical Audit System in Implementing Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines in Patients With Peritonitis

Abstract

Background Sepsis is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with peritonitis. "Surviving Sepsis Campaign" (SSC) is an international effort in reducing mortality based on evidence-based guidelines. This study aims to assess the impact of audit-based feedback in a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) format on improving the implementation of the SSC guidelines in patients with generalized peritonitis at our center. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in four audit cycles in PDSA format. Multi-departmental inputs were taken to suggest modifications in practice. A questionnaire-based analysis of reasons for non-compliance was performed to find out the opinions and reasons for non-compliance. Morbidity, mortality, and the length of ICU and hospital stay among these patients were also analyzed. Results Baseline compliance with intravenous (IV) bolus administration, central venous pressure (CVP)-guided fluids, and inotropes support when indicated were 100%. Over the course of the three audit cycles, statistically significant improvement in compliance was noted for obtaining blood cultures before antibiotics, antibiotic administration within three hours of presentation, and serum lactate measurement. Overall bundle compliance improved from 9.2% to 64.7% by the end of audit cycle III. Conclusions This study demonstrates that audit-based feedback is a dependable means of improving compliance with SSC guidelines. It brings about improvement by educating users, modifying their behavior through feedback, and enhances process improvement by identifying and correcting systemic deficiencies in the organization.