Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and remains a major global health challenge and an important focus of IDSA. Infectious diseases clinicians play an important role across the continuum of sepsis care, particularly in infection diagnosis, antimicrobial management and stewardship, facilitating timely source control, and prevention of health care-associated infections.
Scope and impact
Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. In the United States:
- Sepsis affects at least 1.7 million adults and more than 18,000 children each year; over 350,000 adults and 1,800 children die during hospitalization or are discharged to hospice.
- Approximately 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 5 children who die in U.S. hospitals had sepsis during their hospitalization.
- Most cases of sepsis begin before hospital admission. Hospital-onset sepsis is less common but is associated with substantially higher mortality and is often caused by health care-associated infections.
Globally, an estimated 49 million cases of sepsis and 11 million sepsis-related deaths occur each year, accounting for approximately 20% of deaths worldwide.
Sepsis Updates
Loading...
IDSA positions, statements and advocacy
IDSA develops position papers and statements to articulate the Society’s evidence-based views on important issues in sepsis care, quality improvement and health policy, often in collaboration with partner organizations.
IDSA advocates for evidence-based sepsis policies through public comments, legislative advocacy, and collaboration with policymakers and partner organizations to improve sepsis care and quality measurement.
- Multisociety advocacy letters