Invited commentary on Sepsis

Abstract

Despite considerable resources invested in many large, randomized trials of potential therapies, no single, sepsis-specific therapy has proven effective. However, sepsis-related mortality has fallen in recent decades, with the reduction largely attributed to earlier recognition, prompt treatment, and improvement in the efficacy and safety of life support techniques. Attempts to further systematize care using electronic health record identification, decision support prompts, protocolized or bundled care recommendations, and various audit and feedback tools have been widely deployed, although with mixed results.