Barnes-Jewish Hospital found that 50% of patients with a discharge diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock were being admitted through the emergency department (ED). This meant that early screening, diagnosis and treatment of possible sepsis patients in the ED were critical to improving these patients’ outcomes. The sepsis core measure bundle established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, SEP-1, outlines the critical activities associated with early sepsis identification and management. While Barnes-Jewish had SEP-1 bundle policies in place, compliance with the bundle was found to be less than 50%.

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