The Prevalence of Sepsis and Septic Shock in a Middle-Income Country: Experience of Two Tertiary Hospitals in Jordan

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to describe the prevalence rates for sepsis and septic shock and the length of stay (LOS) among adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs) at two tertiary hospitals in Jordan. Study design: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Materials and methods: A total of 914 patients admitted to adult medical and surgical ICUs at two tertiary hospitals for three months were screened for sepsis and septic shock, and followed up during their hospitalization. The data were collected using a flowchart for screening patients with sepsis/ septic shock. In addition, another tool was used to assess patients’ socio-demographics and clinical variables. Results: The overall three-month period prevalence rate for both sepsis and septic shock was 16.6%. Of these, 48.7% of patients developed sepsis and 51.3% had septic shock. The mean LOS in hospital of patients with sepsis/ septic shock was 21.4 days, compared to 10.5 days for patients without sepsis/ septic shock (p <.001). The mean LOS in ICU of patients with sepsis/ septic shock was 11.1 days, while for patients without sepsis/ septic shock it was 4.4 days (P<.001). The mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 7.6 ± 3.8 (range = 2.0 – 18.0) for patients with sepsis/septic shock. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of sepsis and septic shock was comparable to, or lower than, the prevalence rate at adult ICUs of hospitals in different countries. Sepsis and septic shock were significant health problems among patients in the adult ICUs in Jordan, doubling their LOS.