Habtewold Shibru , Oumer Abdu Muhie, Tesfaye Yesuf, Ermias Shenkutie Greffie, Tadesse Mitiku, Zena Admasu, Frew Ewinetu, Yonas Gedamu, Sefiw Abay
Background: Septic shock is a medical emergency causing significant morbidity and mortality. Multiple factors affect the outcome of septic shock in a particular clinical setting. Identifying factors associated with poor treatment outcomes is crucial for the improvement of medical care in patients with septic shock.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of septic shock treatment and to determine factors associated with poor outcome.
Methods: A hospital based medical record review of patients admitted to the University of Gondar Hospital with the diagnosis of septic shock from January 2014 to October 2016 was conducted. Socio-demographic, clinical history and laboratory data were collected. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
Results: Ninety eight cases of septic shock fulfilled the criteria for analysis. The most common source of infection was the gastrointestinal tract. The in Hospital mortality rate of septic shock is 42 %. Longer duration of illness, presence of co morbidity and corticosteroid use negatively affected the outcome of septic shock. The types of vasopressor used had no effect on the outcome of septic shock.
Conclusion and recommendations: Septic shock has high mortality in Gondar, Ethiopia, where nearly half of the patients had died. Strategies shall be paved to let patients with possible septic shock visit health facilities early and patients with co-morbidities need a more vigilant care. Management strategies with prompt goal directed therapy is essential for a better outcome. It is highly recommended to have a hospital protocol for septic shock management. There is an urgent need for in depth analysis of the management approach and identifying the gaps and improving the patient care.
