Purpose: Sepsis is a condition with high mortality rates and its diagnosis remains a challenge. We assessed epidemiological, clinical data, multiple biomarker profiles, and blood culture with respect to sepsis diagnosis and predictors of outcome. Methods: In total, 183 patients who were suspected of having sepsis and underwent blood culture collection were followed up for 7 days. Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were calculated daily; biomarkers and blood culture test results were evaluated. Results: In total, 78 (43%) had sepsis, 50 (27%) had septic shock, and 55 (30%) had no sepsis. Blood culture was positive in 28% and 42% of the sepsis and septic shock groups, respectively ( P < .001). Regarding clinical profiles and biomarker values, there were no differences between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups, but significant differences were observed in the septic shock group. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that age, serum albumin level, APACHE II, and SOFA 1 st day scores were the independent variables for death. Conclusions: The challenge in the diagnosis of sepsis continues as clinical and laboratory differences found between the groups were due to septic shock. Older aged patients with lower albumin levels and higher APACHE II and SOFA 1 st day scores have a greater probability of mortality.

Introduction: Due to its frequency and potential consequences, malnutrition is a worrisome condition in the hospital environment, especially in the case of adults admitted to intensive care units and others at high risk; malnutrition is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay, higher frequency of readmissions, and increased costs. Although the absence of a planning for hospital discharge can aggravate these consequences, there are no guidelines for nutritional planning for hospital discharge that can be widely adopted in Brazil. Methods: A panel of experts was convened to assess the most relevant topics in the literature related to hospital discharge planning, discuss their experience in this regard, and propose an instrument that could guide and justify the importance of planned and safe nutrition discharge. Results: An organized and explicit discharge plan brings clinical and nutritional benefits to the patient, as well as advantages for family members and the health-care service. Nutritional care and better communication and guidance from the multiprofessional team prepare the patient and family members to reduce length of hospital stay and may avoid readmissions. Discharge planning requires the development of an individualized plan, as well as the education of the patient, family and caregivers; the nutritional care plan is inserted in the discharge plan. Based on these considerations, we propose an instrument that aims to systematize the nutritional discharge through the collection of the most relevant information related to the nutritional risk and the therapeutic approach to this risk, standardizing the communication with the patient, their caregivers, and the health-care team. Conclusions: The instrument presented here should be tested in clinical practice, and it is hoped that it can allow a better follow-up of the patient’s journey, leading to a more successful hospital discharge.