Dewi et al evaluated patients who presented with acute abdominal pain and underwent emergency laparotomy. These patients are at risk for increased mortality if therapy is delayed. The authors are from Wales Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education Deanery and University Hospital Wales.
Patient selection: acute abdominal pain
Red flags for early intervention:
(1) National Early Warning Score (NEWS) >= 3
(2) serum lactate >= 2 mmol/L
(3) peritonitis
(4) evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis
If one or more of these findings are present then the patient should:
(1) be examined by a surgeon within 30 minutes
(2) have appropriate imaging within 60 minutes
(3) be placed on the sepsis protocol
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
