A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Sepsis-Related Outcomes at an Integrated Healthcare System

Abstract

Hospitals are encouraged to take steps to improve outcomes for patients with sepsis, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis examined data (n 5 4,475) from three health systems to better determine the impact of a 10-month sepsis quality improvement program that consisted of clinical alerts, audit and feedback, and staff education. Compared with the control group, the intervention group significantly decreased length of stay and costs per stay. The intervention group increased sepsis bundle compliance by more than 40%. A sepsis quality improvement program may improve sepsis health outcomes and decrease costs.