Positive predictive value of a sepsis-screening protocol for patients with tetraplegia.

Objective: To determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of a sepsis-screening protocol in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design/method: Retrospective review of all patients with cervical SCI who screened positive for two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria while hospitalized in acute care or inpatient rehabilitation units over a 3.5-year period.