There are specific criteria for severe sepsis as distinct from non-severe sepsis. Patients ought to be evaluated for severe sepsis based on these formal criteria when making clinical decisions. This tool provides a simple method to rapidly screen patients in any clinical setting (e.g., in the emergency department, the clinical wards, or the intensive care unit) for appropriateness of enrollment in a severe sepsis treatment protocol.

Review and modify this protocol before applying it within your own organization. Specifically ensure that (1) clinicians whose patients would be appropriate for the protocol are in agreement with the steps and parameters, and (2) the orders are appropriate for the patient population.

[NOTE: A Chinese translation of this tool is also available.]