ABSTRACT
Severe sepsis is one of the most common reasons for critically ill patients to be
admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and has very high associated morbidity and
mortality. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign was initiated with the hope that mortality
might be reduced by standardizing care informed by data from an increasing number
of clinical trials. Important methods for reducing mortality identified by recent
studies include aggressive fluid resuscitation, early goal-directed therapy (EGDT),
early administration of antibiotics, and the administration of activated protein C
to eligible patients.
KEYWORDS
Sepsis - septic shock - critical care - Surviving Sepsis Campaign
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Mitchell M LevyM.D.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital
593 Eddy St., Main 7, Providence, RI 02903
Email: Mitchell_Levy@brown.edu
