Sepsis and septic shock: the first hour in the emergency department
Recognise sepsis early, start the right fluids, antibiotics and vasopressors, and adapt adult and paediatric resuscitation to a Ghanaian ED.
50 min Author: Dr Godfred Takyi, MBChB, FGCS(EM) Reviewed by: Dr Godfred Takyi, MBChB, FGCS(EM) Updated 2026-10-19By the end of this module you should be able to
- Apply the Sepsis-3 definitions of sepsis and septic shock at the bedside.
- Explain why qSOFA should not be used alone to screen for sepsis.
- Deliver the first-hour bundle: lactate, blood cultures, antibiotics, fluids and vasopressors.
- Start noradrenaline early, including through a peripheral line, and know when to add vasopressin and hydrocortisone.
- Adapt fluid resuscitation for African children in line with the FEAST trial.
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