The Role of Lactate in Early Sepsis Identification: Experiences from Intensive Care

Lactate measurements are essential in the assessment of critically ill patients. Results need to be obtained quickly and sequentially to best assess the patient. Adhering to hospital protocol for surviving sepsis guidelines helps to reinforce the message that the primary focus of early sepsis identification is initiation of timely treatment in the critically ill patient.

This webinar will review the importance of lactate measurement and the clinical implications of an increased blood lactate level in the context of sepsis. Specific hospital sepsis protocols are outlined in detail with the therapeutic measures associated with each stage of sepsis. The role of lactate in the risk assessment of patient morbidity and mortality will be presented. Plus, the advantages of obtaining a point of care lactate result versus traditional laboratory analysis will be reviewed.

Learning objectives

• Recognize the clinical implications of increased lactate levels
• Review hospital sepsis protocols and the therapeutic measures that may be implemented
• Compare point of care lactate testing vs central laboratory testing

Who Should Attend?

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Point of Care coordinators
• Respiratory therapists
• Laboratory technicians/technologists
• Healthcare professionals

Speaker: 

Professor Daniel Martin OBE
Professor of Perioperative and Intensive Care Medicine
Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK