We have very important news to share – and an urgent opportunity to act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released proposed new sepsis policies – or “measures” – for public comment. These measures have been a central focus of END SEPSIS’s work for the past several years. They stem directly from congressional directives and funding secured through our advocacy, as well as from the extraordinary efforts of our Sepsis National Initiative Expert Panel – a multidisciplinary group of leading sepsis experts who worked with intelligence, rigor, and passion to propose and advance these measures with CMS and CDC.
Collectively, these measures would have a transformative effect on the quality of sepsis diagnosis and care in this country. It is no exaggeration to say that hundreds of thousands of lives will be saved with the implementation of these measures. In short, we must secure their adoption.
CMS is now accepting public comments, and we are asking for your help. Submitting a comment is one of the most powerful ways to show broad public and professional support and to urge CMS to move these measures forward. Anyone can submit a comment, from clinicians, quality improvement professionals, industry leaders, sepsis survivors and families, and concerned members of the public. The public comment period closes January 6.
Below is a brief overview of the proposed measures and links with more information on why they matter and how to submit a letter of support.
Structural Measure: Why is it needed?
In 2024, CDC launched the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, a non-mandatory framework designed to improve early recognition of sepsis, ensure timely, evidence-based care, support recovery, and monitor outcomes. Hospital-wide sepsis quality improvement programs have been shown to reduce mortality, shorten length of stay, and lower healthcare costs.
The proposed CMS structural measure – the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements Score – would require hospitals nationwide to implement and sustain these proven practices.
Read more about this measure and how to submit a letter of support.
Outcome Measures: Why are they needed?
Outcome measures provide objective data to assess whether care is effective, identify gaps, improve quality, and ensure accountability. CMS already has outcome measures in place for many serious but less prevalent conditions, including heart failure and stroke and diabetes. It is past time to implement outcome measures for sepsis.
Read more about the proposed Outcome Measures and how to submit your letter of support.
Adult Community-Onset (CO) Sepsis Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)
We have very important news to share – and an urgent opportunity to act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released proposed new sepsis policies – or “measures” – for public comment. These measures have been a central focus of END SEPSIS’s work for the past several years. They stem directly from congressional directives and funding secured through our advocacy, as well as from the extraordinary efforts of our Sepsis National Initiative Expert Panel – a multidisciplinary group of leading sepsis experts who worked with intelligence, rigor, and passion to propose and advance these measures with CMS and CDC.
Collectively, these measures would have a transformative effect on the quality of sepsis diagnosis and care in this country. It is no exaggeration to say that hundreds of thousands of lives will be saved with the implementation of these measures. In short, we must secure their adoption.
CMS is now accepting public comments, and we are asking for your help. Submitting a comment is one of the most powerful ways to show broad public and professional support and to urge CMS to move these measures forward. Anyone can submit a comment, from clinicians, quality improvement professionals, industry leaders, sepsis survivors and families, and concerned members of the public. The public comment period closes January 6.
Below is a brief overview of the proposed measures and links with more information on why they matter and how to submit a letter of support.
Structural Measure: Why is it needed?
In 2024, CDC launched the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, a non-mandatory framework designed to improve early recognition of sepsis, ensure timely, evidence-based care, support recovery, and monitor outcomes. Hospital-wide sepsis quality improvement programs have been shown to reduce mortality, shorten length of stay, and lower healthcare costs.
The proposed CMS structural measure – the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements Score – would require hospitals nationwide to implement and sustain these proven practices.
Read more about this measure and how to submit a letter of support.
Outcome Measures: Why are they needed?
Outcome measures provide objective data to assess whether care is effective, identify gaps, improve quality, and ensure accountability. CMS already has outcome measures in place for many serious but less prevalent conditions, including heart failure and stroke and diabetes. It is past time to implement outcome measures for sepsis.
Read more about the proposed Outcome Measures and how to submit your letter of support.
Adult Community-Onset (CO) Sepsis Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)
Your voice matters! A strong showing of public support can help ensure CMS advances, adopts, and ultimately implements these lifesaving sepsis measures.
Thank you for standing with us and for taking action to improve sepsis care for patients and families across the country.
