Presenting Symptoms Shape Antibiotic Timing in Community-Onset Sepsis

This large multihospital cohort demonstrates that documented presenting symptoms independently influence whether patients with presumed bacterial sepsis receive timely antibiotics, and that timely therapy remains associated with lower mortality even after adjusting for those symptoms.

📅 Journal publication: Sep 1, 2026 · Last updated: Oct 7, 2026

★ Editor's Pickceftriaxonecefepimepiperacillin-tazobactamsepsisantibiotic timingtime to antibioticscommunity-onset sepsisantimicrobial stewardshipobservational cohortSurviving Sepsis CampaignSEP-1mortality Infectious Disease / Antimicrobials

Also in Critical Care / ICU

Background Information

Early antibiotics in sepsis save lives, regardless of symptoms.

Timely administration of antibiotics in sepsis is crucial for reducing mortality, yet delays are frequent and can be influenced by presenting symptoms. Patients with prehospital fever had increased odds of receiving timely antibiotics. Timely antibiotics were linked to a 2.10% lower 30-day mortality, even after adjustments. These findings highlight the importance of proactive sepsis screening and timely antibiotic administration, especially in patients with ambiguous presenting symptoms. Timely antibiotics reduce mortality in sepsis, emphasizing the need for early recognition and treatment.

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Authors: Conlon A, Seelye S, Walzl E, Bhanderi H, Gupta AB, Horowitz JK, Jayaprakash N, Kuhl N, Malani AN, McLaughlin E, Posa P, Shappell C, Parks Taylor S, Flanders SA, Prescott HC, Munroe ES

Citation: Conlon A, Seelye S, Walzl E, et al. Presenting Symptoms and Antibiotic Timing Among Hospitalized Adults With Presumed Sepsis. JAMA network open. 2026;9(9):e2635575. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.35575

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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Executive Summary

Study Design

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Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

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