Improvement in Process of Care and Outcome After a Multicenter Severe Sepsis Educational Program in Spain

Abstract

Sepsis is one of the most prevalent diseases and one of the main causes of death among hospitalized patients.¹ Severe sepsis accounts for 1 in 5 admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) and is a leading cause of death in noncardiac ICUs.^2,3 In Spain, the incidence of severe sepsis is 104 cases per 100 000 adult residents per year with a hospital mortality of 20.7%, and the incidence of septic shock is 31 cases per 100 000 adult residents per year with a mortality of 45.7%.⁴ In the United States, the incidence of severe sepsis is higher (300 cases per 100 000 population) as is the mortality rate (28.6%), which represents 215 000 deaths annually.¹