The incidence of severe sepsis (sepsis with organ dysfunction) is increasing [1]. Several recent published studies have demonstrated decreased mortality and morbidity as a result of interventions and therapeutics applied to patients with sepsis [2-5]. These new data, resulting from rigorously performed, randomized controlled trials, combined with previous data for beneficial interventions not specific to sepsis management [6-10], such as DVT and stress ulcer prophylaxis, lend significant weight to the belief that critical care clinicians can now significantly reduce mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
R. Phillip Dellinger
