Recommendations
12. For adults with possible septic shock or a high likelihood for sepsis, we recommend administering antimicrobials immediately, ideally within 1 h of recognition Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence (Septic shock) Strong recommendation, very low quality of evidence (Sepsis without shock)
13. For adults with possible sepsis without shock, we recommend rapid assessment of the likelihood of infectious versus non-infectious causes of acute illness Best Practice Statement Remarks Rapid assessment includes history and clinical examination, tests for both infectious and non-infectious causes of acute illness and immediate treatment for acute conditions that can mimic sepsis. Whenever possible this should be completed within 3 h of presentation so that a decision can be made as to the likelihood of an infectious cause of the patient’s presentation and timely antimicrobial therapy provided if the likelihood of sepsis is thought to be high
14. For adults with possible sepsis without shock, we suggest a time-limited course of rapid investigation and if concern for infection persists, the administration of antimicrobials within 3 h from the time when sepsis was first recognised Weak recommendation, very low quality of evidence
15. For adults with a low likelihood of infection and without shock, we suggest deferring antimicrobials while continuing to closely monitor the patient. Weak recommendation, very low quality of evidence