The New Sepsis Definitions: Implications for Critical Care Practitioners

Sepsis and septic shock are common, pathophysiologically complex, clinical conditions that are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost of care.¹  Sepsis occurs in response to infection and results in sepsis-related organ system dysfunction and/or circulatory shock, which have high morbidity and mortality rates for hospitalized patients.²  Although estimates show trends toward decreases in hospital and case fatality rates, the incidence of sepsis cases is increasing. These developments have resulted in a large number of sepsis-related fatalities and a larger number of survivors who require posthospital care and/or are unable to resume their prior occupation.³ 

Although a growing number of potential biomarkers have been studied to improve the capability of diagnosing sepsis, most lack specificity.^4–9  Clinicians are currently using clinical criteria for sepsis surveillance and identification that are based on prior consensus definitions.¹⁰  These definitions, however, have limitations. Recently, a third sepsis definitions...