Introduction.

Sepsis is a public health problem due to the high mortality rate in intensive care units. The purpose of this study was to establish the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with sepsis in the intensive care unit of a clinic in the city of Cali.

Material and methods.

A descriptive retrospective study was conducted with 295 clinical records of patients diagnosed with sepsis. The association between the quantitative variables and the development of sepsis or septic shock was analyzed using the χ2 test with a significant value of p <0.05. The Odds Ratio was used as a measure of association with a confidence interval of 95% using the SPSS statistical package, Vs 22.00.

Results.

The average age of the patients was 75 years (SD = 17.27). With a slight predominance of men (56.6%). The abdominal cavity was the most frequent focus of sepsis, with 28.8% in patients with sepsis and 23.6% with septic shock. Escherichia coli was the most isolated agent. The highest risk of mortality occurred in hypertensive patients (39%, OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.39-5.68, P = 0.003) and in those with haematological processes (17.1%; OR: 5 61, 95% CI: 1.96-16.12, P <= 0.001).

Conclusion.

Gram-negative bacteria and abdominal cavity, as primary septic focus were the most prevalent factors in the patients with sepsis and septic shock analyzed. The risk of mortality was associated with hypertensive patients and with hematological processes.