Severe sepsis is a time dependent condition and this study builds on previous literature which supports that early identification and treatment of sepsis with antibiotics decreases mortality. Retrospective analysis of a large dataset collected prospectively by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign database from 165 multi-national ICUs in Europe, USA and South America. Results of the analysis of this large population of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock demonstrate that a delay in first antibiotic administration was associated with increased in hospital mortality. We should aim to give antibiotics as early as possible following the recognition of severe sepsis.

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