Confidence intervals and statistical significance

Researchers evaluated the effect of percentage compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign’s resuscitation and management bundles on mortality in patients admitted with severe sepsis to intensive care units in Asia. The resuscitation bundle delivered within six hours includes early blood cultures and antibiotics plus various aspects of early goal directed treatment for haemodynamic derangements. The management bundle delivered within 24 hours includes low dose steroids, drotrecogin alfa (activated), glucose control, and guidelines on ventilator support.1

In total, 1285 adult patients with severe sepsis were admitted to 150 intensive care units in July 2009. There were 713 survivors and 572 deaths. Compliance with the resuscitation bundle (six hours) was lower for …