Diagnostic stewardship in sepsis: minding the gap from the microbiology lab to ward

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from the body's dysregulated response to infection that demands timely diagnosis and effective antimicrobial treatment to reduce mortality and healthcare burden. Microbiology laboratories play a critical role in sepsis management by delivering rapid and accurate diagnostic information. This article explores the framework and implementation of diagnostic stewardship programs, their integration with antimicrobial stewardship programs, and the evolving microbiological techniques enabling earlier, targeted antimicrobial therapy in sepsis. We highlight the critical synergy between microbiology, clinical teams and innovation, in optimizing patient outcomes.