The Surviving Sepsis Campaign: past, present and future

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) was established in 2002.
• It provides guidelines and performance improvement programs for severe sepsis management.
• The SSC guidelines underwent a significant revision in 2013.

Purpose of the Study:

• To disseminate the updated severe sepsis management guidelines from 2013.
• To highlight changes in recommendations regarding fluid and vasopressor administration.
• To promote the adoption of new sepsis care bundles and performance improvement initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Revision and publication of international severe sepsis management guidelines.
• Development of 3- and 6-hour sepsis bundles (sets of care elements).
• Creation of a downloadable software program for sepsis bundle implementation.
• Continuation and expansion of champion-driven sepsis performance improvement programs.

Main Results:

• The 2013 guidelines introduced revised recommendations for fluid and vasopressor administration.
• New 3- and 6-hour sepsis bundles were established for structured care.
• A free software program was made available to facilitate the implementation of sepsis bundles.
• International sepsis performance improvement programs, including a new hospital floor initiative, were launched.

Conclusions:

• The updated SSC guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations for severe sepsis management.
• The sepsis bundles and associated software aim to standardize and improve the quality of care.
• Performance improvement programs are crucial for the ongoing international effort to reduce sepsis-related mortality and morbidity.