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. 2023 Nov 19;14:193. doi: 10.1186/s13244-023-01538-y

Table 2.

Results for the categories “clinical criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis” and “the following clinical criteria are an indication for CT.” Only responses from participants who completed both required categories were counted. Data presented in absolute numbers and percentages

Clinical criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis Does not apply Rather does not apply Somewhat applies Fully applies I do not know Total
n % n % n % n % n % n
The following clinical criteria are an indication for CT SOFA score ≥ 2 is relevant in diagnosing sepsis Does not apply 3 33 3 33 3 33 0 0 0 0 9
Rather does not apply 0 0 1 33 1 33 1 33 0 0 3
Somewhat applies 2 8 5 19 13 50 4 15 2 8 26
Fully applies 3 5 9 14 20 31 29 45 3 5 64
I do not know 1 25 1 25 1 25 1 25 0 0 4
Total 9 8 19 18 38 36 35 33 5 5 106
SIRS score ≥ 2 is considered a diagnostic criterion for sepsis Does not apply 12 33 10 28 10 28 2 6 2 6 36
Rather does not apply 2 11 10 53 4 21 1 5 2 11 19
Somewhat applies 1 4 9 39 11 48 2 9 0 0 23
Fully applies 0 0 1 9 6 55 3 27 1 9 11
I do not know 1 10 2 20 1 10 1 10 5 50 10
Total 16 16 32 32 32 32 9 9 10 10 99

CT Computed tomography, SOFA Systemic Organ Failure Assessment, SIRS Systemic inflammatory response syndrome

A majority of 76% (n = 49/64) students stated that a SOFA score ≥ 2 is a CT indication, i.e., (4) Fully applies and (3) Somewhat applies taken together. A third of the students (n = 34/100; (4) Fully applies and (3) Somewhat applies taken together) responding to the question considered a SIRS score ≥ 2 to be a diagnostic criterion for sepsis. Conversely, 37% (n = 37/100) of participants fully disagreed. Out of 36 students fully disagreeing with the SIRS score being a criterion for diagnosing sepsis, 6% (n = 22/36; (4) Fully applies and (3) Somewhat applies taken together) would also refuse to establish an indication for a CT scan on the basis of a SIRS score