A heightened level of care.

Sepsis is estimated to strike up to 3.1 million people in the United States each year, and in 2014 resulted in over 182,000 deaths. Patients who develop sepsis are subjected to an onslaught of procedures and interventions, from cardiac monitoring and transfer to the ICU to frequent blood sampling and insertion of central lines and urinary catheters. It is a frightening experience and requires attention to the patient’s experience and interventions to mitigate stress.

According to a clinical feature article in our October issue, “Assessing Patients During Septic Shock Resuscitation,” the revised six-hour bundle from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign includes a recommendation that, after initial fluid resuscitation, patients’ perfusion and volume status should be reassessed.

Noninvasive bedside indicators of perfusion and volume status.

click image to expand

This article focuses on measuring capillary refill time (CRT) and the skin mottling score (SMS; see figure at right) and details the evidence underlying the correct way to perform these assessments and how to incorporate findings into the overall plan of care.

One of the key advantages of these two measurements is that they are noninvasive and require no equipment—just the eyes and touch of an astute nurse—yet they are highly valuable in the overall […]