What are the six steps of sepsis?
John Castro
Updated on July 20, 2026
What are the six steps of sepsis?
Sepsis Six
- Titrate oxygen to a saturation target of 94%
- Take blood cultures and consider source control.
- Administer empiric intravenous antibiotics.
- Measure serial serum lactates.
- Start intravenous fluid resuscitation.
- Commence accurate urine output measurement.
What is the Sep-1 core measure?
Getting to Know Core Measure SEP-1: Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock. By providing timely, patient-centered care and making sepsis care more affordable through early intervention, this measure can result in reduced use of resources and lower rates of complications.”
When did sepsis become a core measure?
October 1, 2015
On October 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission (TJC) launched a Sepsis Core Measure for all 4000 Joint Commission-accredited U.S. hospitals. Core Measures are evidence-based process measures to reduce morbidity and mortality.
What is SIRS vs sepsis?
SIRS and Sepsis Evolving
| SIRS (2 or more) | SEPSIS (any combination) |
|---|---|
| Pulse over 90 beats per minute | Pulse over 90 beats per min |
| White blood cells over 12,000 | Lab work reveal organ problems |
| Trauma or infection may be a cause | Caused by infection |
| Normal blood pressure | Low blood pressure |
What sepsis criteria does CMS use?
1. Lactate >2 or organ dysfunction defines severe sepsis.
| SIRS Criteria | Organ Dysfunction Variables |
|---|---|
| Temp < 96.8 | MAP < 70 |
| HR > 90 | SBP decrease > 40 from known baseline |
| RR > 20 | Cr > 2.0 |
| WBC > 12,000 | UOP < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for > 2 hours |
At what septic level is the mortality rate up to 50%?
The mortality rate of SIRS ranges from 6% to 7% and in septic shock amounts to over 50%. In particular, abdominal sepsis exhibits the highest mortality rate with 72%.
