Sepsis & Septic Shock- An Interview with Dr Lauren Black

This podcast addresses updates and controversies in the early management of sepsis and septic shock. Dr. Lauren Black, an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and NIH-funded sepsis researcher, clarifies the discrepancies between consensus definitions of sepsis and CMS SEP-1 guidelines, which impacts hospital core measures. The discussion emphasizes that current sepsis screening tools, including QSOFA, have not outperformed clinical judgment. While CMS SEP-1 mandates specific actions like blood cultures and lactate measurements, the application of its fluid bolus recommendations should consider individual patient factors such as BMI and cardiac function. The conversation also covers the importance of early antibiotic administration in hypotensive patients and the potential benefits of balanced crystalloids like lactated ringers over normal saline.