Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to provide an analysis of effects of a reduced administration of non-resuscitation fluids at septic shock regarding self-reported health, cognitive impairment and life satisfaction in a six-month follow-up. A second aim was to explore if selected demographic physical and psychological factors are associated with self-reported health, cognitive impairment and life satisfaction.

Research methodology/ Design: A six-month follow-up of a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting: This follow-up study of septic shock survivors was conducted six months after randomization. Participants in the intervention group received protocolized reduction of non-resuscitation fluids, for the control group local routines followed, during the intervention. The follow-up meetings were conducted, face-to-face or by telephone, by blinded members of the research team.Main outcome measures: Self-reported health was assessed using EQ-5D-5L, cognitive impairment using MoCA and life satisfaction with a VAS-scale.Results: In the total sample (n=41) according to self-reported health, mean EQ-5D-5L EQ-VAS was 66 and TTO-index 0.774. For cognitive impairment, mean MoCA was 18 points and mean Life satisfaction VAS-scale 7 of 10. The administration of reduced fluid therapy did not result in an improved self-reported health, cognitive impairment or life satisfaction. Even if there was not any difference between the groups, the result showed that the participants suffered from poor outcomes.Conclusion: The administration of reduced fluid therapy did not result in an improved self-reported health, cognitive impairment or life satisfaction. A significant part of the participants reported problems with mobility, pain/discomfort and daily activities and every fourth suffered from cognitive impairment six months after the septic shock.Implications for Clinical practice: This study can increase the ICU nurse’s knowledge about outcomes after septic shock and thus facilitate the follow-up meeting with sepsis survivors where the ICU-nurse both can prepare the patients for challenges and bring hope.