Surviving Sepsis Campaign

The purpose of the project was to improve the recognition and early goal directed treatment of patients with sepsis to reduce mortality rates by 50 percent in one year from implementation. The hospital used multi-point strategies provided by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign to help guide practitioners in the recognition and treatment of these critically ill patients providing an opportunity for a positive outcome.

Since implementation, overall compliance with the four elements of the sepsis resuscitation order set increased from 34.6 percent to 90.7 percent. The mortality rate decreased to an overall 16 percent since implementation from a baseline of 42 percent.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)