Background: Clinicians are encouraged to use the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services early management bundle for severe sepsis and septic shock (SEP-1); however, it is unclear whether this process measure improves patient outcomes.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether compliance with the SEP-1 bundle is a predictor of hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit LOS at a suburban community hospital.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted.
Results: A total of 577 patients were included in the analysis. Compliance with the SEP-1 bundle was not a significant predictor for patient outcomes.
Conclusions: SEP-1 compliance may not equate with quality of health care. Efforts to comply with SEP-1 may help organizations develop systems and structures that improve patient outcomes. Health care leaders should evaluate strategies beyond SEP-1 compliance to ensure continuous improvement of outcomes for patients experiencing sepsis.
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