Over the past decade, biomarkers have emerged as important components of clinical decision making. In this presentation, Dr. Balk will discuss various biomarkers that may improve the diagnosis of Sepsis, influence therapeutic decision-making and/or aid in risk assessment of patients suspected of Sepsis. He will discuss the potential advantages and drawbacks to routine measurement of biomarkers such as lactate and Procalcitonin (PCT) in Sepsis.

Dr. Balk is the J. Bailey Carter, MD, Professor of Medicine at Rush Medical College and Director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. A Fellow in the American College of Physicians, American Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Balk is a prolific author and a member of the editorial board for The Journal of Organ Dysfunction and Clinical Pulmonary Medicine.

Establishing how and when to employ Procalcitonin (PCT) as a clinical aid to patient assessment is an important consideration for clinicians. In this presentation, Erica DeBoer draws on her own bedside experience to discuss practical guidelines for PCT use, as well as potential barriers to PCT implementation and strategies for addressing them.

Erica C. DeBoer is the Clinical Nurse Leader at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 2010, she completed her Master of Arts in Nursing with curriculum focus on the business of healthcare, leadership and evidence-based practice for the Clinical Nurse Leader. Establishing a Sepsis program and optimizing Sepsis outcomes was the focus of her Masters’ degree work. Ms. DeBoer has presented on Sepsis at multiple local conferences and has presented posters at the 2010 Clinical Nurse Leader Conference, 2009 National Evidence-Based Practice Conference and at the 2007 Professional Nurse Educator Group National Conference.

In this presentation based on firsthand clinical experience, Dr. Yalamanchili will review case studies of actual patients suspected of Sepsis and how Procalcitonin (PCT) provided important additional information aiding in the early risk assessment of Sepsis.

Dr. Yalamanchili serves as Assistant Professor of Medicine and Division Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, TX. He is also Director of the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Services at Plum Creek Specialty Hospital, and Director of Special Procedures at Triumph Hospital in Amarillo. He has co-authored several articles and delivered numerous lectures on various areas of critical care medicine.

Early diagnosis and appropriate management of Sepsis patients is critical to reduce mortality and Procalcitonin (PCT) is a useful biomarker to help guide initiation of empiric antibiotics. In addition, overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics increases bacterial resistance, making antimicrobial stewardship a key concept in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units. Dr. King will review literature studying antibiotic initiation and de-escalation in Sepsis patients.

Dr. King serves as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, TX. She practices as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist at Northwest Texas Hospital and gives lectures on various topics relating to pharmacotherapy in critically ill patients. Dr. King has ongoing projects evaluating Procalcitonin and antimicrobial stewardship.