Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Sepsis and septic shock are major healthcare problems, impacting millions of people around the world each year and killing between

one in three and one in six of those it affects.

Early identification and appropriate management in the initial hours after the development of sepsis improve outcomes.

The recommendations are intended to provide guidance for the clinician caring for adult patients with sepsis or septic shock in the hospital setting.

Recommendations from these guidelines cannot replace the clinician’s decision-making capability when presented with a unique patient’s clinical variables. These guidelines are intended to reflect best practice.