SEP-1 The Nation’s First Sepsis Measure: What are the Downstream Effects?

Session Description: 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle (SEP-1) in 2015. Learn from one of the measure stewards about the current status of the measure and its impact on patient outcomes. The relationship between compliance with evidence-based therapies and mortality due to sepsis will be discussed. The changes spurred by national action on sepsis in clinical, research, and public health settings will be reviewed. Discussion will follow about the impetus and need for a national sepsis measure. 

This course was originally recorded in September 2020 as part of the 2020 Sepsis Alliance Summit.

Target Audience

Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, emergency responders, healthcare management teams, and other healthcare staff may benefit.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the presentation, the attendee should be able to:

  • Describe the relationship between compliance with evidence-based therapies and mortality due to sepsis.
  • Recognize changes spurred by national action on sepsis in clinical, research, and public health settings.
  • Discuss the impetus and need for a national sepsis measure.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Participation
  • 1.70 RN CE Contact Hours
    Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068.
Course opens: 
06/15/2019
Course expires: 
12/31/2024

Sean Townsend, MD

Vice President of Quality & Safety, California Pacific Medical Center

Dr. Sean R. Townsend, M.D., is Vice President of Quality & Safety at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco, California.  He is also Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco.  Dr. Townsend is a practicing intensivist in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at CPMC.  Dr. Townsend led IHI's work on sepsis and served on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) steering committee for many years.  Dr. Townsend serves as measure steward for CMS’s national sepsis quality measure, SEP-1.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 1.7 contact hours.

Other healthcare providers will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.25 contact hours.

Medical Disclaimer

The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare provider. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare provider regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Participation
  • 1.70 RN CE Contact Hours
    Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068.
Please login or register to take this course.

This activity includes:

  • Pre-test
  • Downloadable slides
  • Pre-recorded presentation
  • Post-test (80% passing rate)
  • Evaluation

All components must be completed to earn a certificate of attendance. This course can be completed at your convenience.