Blood culture collection and administration of intravenous ceftriaxone by paramedics in patients with suspected sepsis (the pass trial).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of pre-hospital blood culture (BC) collection and intravenous (IV) antibiotic administration in patients with suspected sepsis.

METHODS

In this open-label trial, BCs were collected in all participants, who were then randomised to ongoing care (control) or ongoing care plus 2 g IV ceftriaxone (intervention). Time to antibiotic administration was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were enrolled and randomised (21 control, 14 intervention). BCs were obtained in 89% (n = 31/35) and grew a pathogen in 42% (n = 13/31). Intervention patients received antibiotics a median of 108 (95% CI 34 to 170) minutes earlier (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

BCs were successfully obtained by paramedics, and pre-hospital IV ceftriaxone resulted in expedited antibiotic administration.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618000199213.