The Surviving Sepsis Campaign and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) recommend rapid crystalloid infusion (≥30 mL/kg) for patients with sepsis-induced hypoperfusion or septic shock.
The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an Adult Code Sepsis Protocol on the rate of SEP-1 perfect score attainment (PSA) among patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with severe sepsis or septic shock, as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
SEP-1 identifies patients with "severe sepsis" via clinical and laboratory criteria and mandates interventions, including lactate draws and antibiotics, within a specific time window.
Although SEP-1 represents an important first step in requiring hospitals to improve outcomes for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, the current approach must be revisited.