There remains significant controversy behind the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines, as evidenced by the Infectious Diseases Society of America refusing to endorse the latest iteration put forth by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. An important stakeholder in this debate has not yet been adequately represented: hospitalists. Areas covered: In this perspective piece, we review the key points in this controversy; specifically, the current guidelines for the identification and management of sepsis. Expert commentary: We believe it is time for hospitalists to weigh in on this important issue by formally commenting on the new guidelines, establishing research priorities, and leading future research studies in the field to help achieve consensus among all clinicians in the appropriate management of sepsis.
Keywords: Critical care; guidelines; hospitalists; infectious diseases; sepsis.