As we think ahead to Sepsis Awareness Month, starting on Monday, we are reminded how critical it is to keep sepsis front and center in our hospitals, schools, and communities.

At End Sepsis, we are working closely with both the CDC and Congress to ensure sepsis remains a national priority; expanding awareness, supporting prevention efforts, and pushing for stronger policies that save lives. Through our advocacy, we continue to champion Rory’s Regulations in New York State and the introduction of the bipartisan SEPSIS Act in Congress, critical steps toward national standards for sepsis recognition and care.

Our partners at the CDC recently shared updates on their nationwide sepsis initiatives, highlighting important progress in hospital programs and the opportunities still ahead.

Strengthening Sepsis Programs in Hospitals

In August 2023, CDC launched the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, a framework of best practices to help hospitals build stronger systems for recognizing and treating sepsis.

The most recent national survey shows encouraging momentum:

• More hospitals now have dedicated sepsis committees

• More hospitals are giving program leaders protected time to focus on sepsis

• More programs are working hand-in-hand with Antibiotic Stewardship teams

These steps may sound small, but collectively they represent culture change—where hospitals prioritize early recognition, teamwork, and accountability in sepsis care.

Helping Hospitals Put Core Elements into Practice

To bring these Core Elements to life, CDC partnered with the American Hospital Association (AHA) to launch the Sepsis Champions Leadership Series.

This initiative connects hospitals across the country, offering:

• Peer-to-peer learning

• Practical strategies from sepsis experts

• Real-world examples of how systems are successfully implementing change

CDC and AHA visited Ochsner Health in Baton Rouge, a leader in team-based sepsis care. Lessons from their approach are now being shared nationwide, and you can read more in the report Revolutionizing Sepsis Management with Ochsner’s Solutions.

Expanding Awareness Beyond Hospitals

Sepsis education doesn’t stop at the hospital door. CDC continues to grow its Get Ahead of Sepsis campaign, with new materials for:

• Schools and communities, focusing on children and families

• People at higher risk, with tailored resources to support prevention and early recognition

• Healthcare providers, emphasizing timely treatment and antibiotic reassessment

These resources extend lifesaving awareness to the places where it matters most—classrooms, homes, and community settings.

Moving Forward Together

At End Sepsis we know that progress requires partnership. That’s why we continue to work closely with the CDC, lawmakers in Congress, healthcare systems, and communities nationwide. Together, we are driving change through education, legislation, and advocacy in an effort to end preventable deaths from sepsis.