How Performance Improvement Programs are Missing Patients - and How to Fix the Problem

Sepsis remains the leading cause of hospital mortality, with septic shock carrying a 34 percent mortality rate ^[1]. In absolute terms, hospital admissions for these conditions outnumber admissions for stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and trauma combined. The financial cost to U.S. health care is estimated at a staggering 33 billion dollars per year and rising; the average cost per hospitalized patient ranges from about $18,000 to over $50,000 for sepsis present on admission and hospital-acquired sepsis, respectively, making it the most expensive disease state in hospitals^[1].

This paper provides expert guidance for hospital administrators and sepsis coordinators, who are seeking new ways to address the devastating human and financial costs of sepsis.