Since 2017, CDC has been committed to protecting patients and addressing septicemiaa life-threatening medical emergency that affects at least 1.7 million adults each year. This Sepsis Awareness Month, CDC marks the beginning of a new chapter in advancing sepsis programs and patient care:
- New innovative tools and scientific work
CDC has led the way by providing new and innovative tools to optimize patient care, such as Core elements of the hospital sepsis program (Central elements of sepsis). The agency is working to support the implementation of these tools and their expansion.Few tools exist to help nursing homes navigate and improve sepsis recognition and referral of care to an acute care facility. Modified from CDC’s existing assessments on sepsis and infection prevention, CDC will soon release a sepsis prevention assessment tool that can help nursing homes better understand sepsis knowledge, attitudes, and practices among frontline staff in their facilities. In collaboration with CDC subject matter experts, use of this tool will also provide nursing homes with an overview of opportunities to improve sepsis care within their facilities.
- Evaluation of the absorption of the basic elements of sepsis
The CDC tracks the adoption of sepsis basics across the National Health Security Network (NHSN), the nation’s most comprehensive system for preventing healthcare-associated infections and protecting the safety of patients and healthcare workers. In 2024, hospitals reported modest improvements from the previous year: 80% had sepsis committees, 60% allocated sufficient time dedicated to sepsis leadership, and 68% had antibiotic stewardship programs.. Additionally, a new Sepsis Core Elements facility report will be available in the NHSN app, allowing facilities to view their Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements score and easily identify areas for improvement. - Maximize efficiency to improve the quality of healthcare and promote patient safety
In fiscal year 2024, Congress provided CDC with an unprecedented $3 million in funding for sepsis. With these funds, CDC developed new quality measures that promote optimal care of patients with sepsis. These measures will help optimize data for NHSN and modernize hospital management and sepsis outcomes to promote optimal patient care. By the end of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to publish publicly adult sepsis process and outcome measures for consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Our partners will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the measures during a public comment period in early 2026 ahead of CMS review in summer 2026. - Strengthening partnerships to expand reach and impact
The CDC and the American Hospital Association/Health Research & Educational Trust created the Sepsis Champions Leadership Seriesa new collaboration that seeks to drive meaningful change and elevate the performance of hospital and health system sepsis teams through monthly sessions led by healthcare leaders and sepsis experts. These sessions provided insights from top players, facilitated connection and learning between hospitals and health systems, and explained how to integrate the core elements of the Hospital Sepsis Program to strengthen hospitals and health systems’ approach to sepsis care. CDC also partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics to obtain critical information for reporting development of educational resources and events with the aim of reducing the incidence and severity of cases of sepsis in children who attend summer camps. - Continue raising awareness about sepsis
CDC is developing new and updated programs. Get ahead of sepsis Tools for national educational effort to raise awareness of the risks of sepsis for adults, children and families. These include two toolkits for communities and schools on sepsis in children and specific materials for people at risk of sepsis, including sepsis survivors; people with recent serious illnesses, surgery or hospital care; as well as materials for obstetricians, gynecologists and family medicine providers; and more. CDC also renewed its sepsis website with a new, easier-to-use search feature for tool kits and other materials.
CDC needs your help to spread awareness about sepsis
Although at least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis die during hospitalization or are discharged to hospice, many people still do not know what sepsis is, what to do if they suspect it, and how to prevent infections that can cause sepsis. You play a vital role and we need your help to raise awareness to protect more lives:
Learn more about theCore elements of the hospital sepsis programand the CDC’s national educational effort,Get ahead of sepsis.
—
Arjun Srinivasan, MD, is deputy director of program improvement in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)..
Published in by
