This document provides guidelines from an international panel of experts for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Some key recommendations include:
1) Early goal-directed resuscitation of septic patients within the first 6 hours, targeting specific goals for central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, urine output, and central venous oxygen saturation.
2) Obtaining appropriate diagnostic studies like blood cultures before starting antibiotics to determine the causative organisms.
3) Early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, with reassessment to narrow coverage based on clinical and microbiological data.
4) Other recommendations address source control, fluid resuscitation, vasopressor use, glucose control, ventilation strategies, prophylaxis,