Executive Summary of the 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sepsis and Septic Shock in Adults in the Philippines

Abstract

Sepsis is thought to affect over 30 million individuals all over the world annually, and puts at risk of death some six million of these people. The incidence of sepsis throughout the world had been reported to be 22 to 240 cases per 100,000 persons using the old sepsis definition. In February 2016, the Sepsis-3 definitions drastically changed the paradigm for sepsis. This 2020 Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) adopted the new definitions and the latest evidence on sepsis and septic shock to (1) establish the definition and clinical criteria to be used in the Philippines, (2) present evidence-based recommendations with regard to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of sepsis and septic shock in immunocompetent adults, and (3) aimed to reduce practice variability among healthcare practitioners and improve clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis and septic shock. The preparation of the guideline was spearheaded by the Steering Committee who selected the members of the multidisciplinary Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Consensus Panel. The TWG, composed of experts across various fields and specialties, conducted a comprehensive review of evidence relevant to each guideline question. The Consensus Panel consisted of different stakeholders who voted for the recommendations. The GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) Approach was used to determine the quality of evidence and guide the strength of recommendations. Publication of this CPG is part of the dissemination process, which will be followed later on by monitoring and updating.