Sepsis Antibiotic Timing Shows Physician Divide
Emergency department physicians differ in how quickly they initiate antibiotics for suspected sepsis.
By
Kathryn Wighton
March 2, 2026
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A study found that earlier antibiotic initiation for sepsis does not lead to increased overtreatment among patients.
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The analysis included 9,180 adult patients treated by 88 attending ED physicians across four Utah hospitals.
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Physician-level variation in door-to-antimicrobial time was significant, with a median time of 155 minutes.
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Qualitative interviews revealed that faster physicians employed proactive communication and early coordination.
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The study's findings may have limited generalizability due to its regional focus and the time gap in data collection.
