<< Previous Next >>

Definitions

Infection/Bacteremia

Presence of bacteria or fungi in the bloodstream as evidenced by positive blood cultures or positive catheter culture

Sepsis

Suspected infection with the presence of two or more of the SIRS criteria

Systemic Inflammatory Response System (SIRS)

Indicated by the presence of two or more of the following criteria:

• Oral temperature > 38.0o C (100.4o F) or < 36.0o C (96.8o F)
• Heart rate > 90 beats per minute
• Respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute or pCO2 <32 mmHg
• White blood cell count > 12,000 cells/mm3 or < 4,000 cells/mm3 or > 10% bands in the peripheral blood

<< Previous Next >>