This package includes the CE evaluations and CE credits for each individual podcast episode. You can register for the individual episode evaluations if you plan to complete fewer than three.
This season of The Sepsis Spectrum explores one of the most critical complications of sepsis: multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Designed specifically for healthcare professionals, this six-episode series will strengthen your clinical insight and decision-making across the continuum of sepsis care. Each episode focuses on the effects of sepsis on a specific organ system, shedding light on how dysfunction in each area develops, how to recognize it early, and how to intervene effectively.
Through real-world case examples and expert interviews, you’ll gain practical strategies to support early detection, multidisciplinary care, and post-acute recovery. Whether you work in emergency care, critical care, or transitional care settings, this series will help you better understand the systemic nature of sepsis, how organ failure evolves, and how to act swiftly to improve outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the series, the learner should be able to:
Describe the pathophysiology of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the context of sepsis.
Identify early signs of organ-specific dysfunction in patients with suspected or confirmed sepsis.
Apply clinical strategies to prevent or mitigate organ failure during sepsis management.
Analyze the implications of single vs. multi-organ failure on patient outcomes and care pathways.
Recognize the role of interdisciplinary teams in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing organ dysfunction.
Evaluate post-ICU and post-sepsis recovery considerations related to organ damage and long-term function.
Implement evidence-based interventions tailored to each organ system affected by sepsis.
Target audience:
All healthcare professionals and healthcare students including nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, infectious disease and prevention specialists, scientists, and researchers, sepsis coordinators, sepsis data & quality professionals, healthcare executives and leadership, nursing and medical school deans & faculty, professional healthcare organizations, healthcare advocates, government, and industry.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 4.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 3.0 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 1 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
Circulatory failure is a hallmark of severe sepsis, but cardiovascular dysfunction extends beyond hypotension. In this episode, we’ll discuss the interplay between vasoplegia, myocardial depression, and distributive shock. Understand the dynamic nature of cardiovascular “shutdown,” why the heart and vessels become unresponsive, and how interventions, both pharmacologic and mechanical, can support hemodynamic recovery. Long-term cardiovascular implications for sepsis survivors will also be explored.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Identify the key mechanisms of cardiovascular dysfunction in sepsis, including vasoplegia and myocardial depression;
Interpret hemodynamic data to guide fluid resuscitation, vasopressor use, and inotropic support;
Apply targeted interventions to stabilize circulation and prevent progression to refractory shock;
Assess the potential for long-term cardiovascular sequelae and formulate post-discharge follow-up strategies.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Mitchell S. V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA
Chief Science Officer, Brain Health and Stroke
American Heart Association
Mitchell Elkind, MD, MS, FAHA, is the Chief Science Officer, Brain Health and Stroke, of the American Heart Association (AHA). He is expanding the work of AHA from its traditional focus on cardiovascular disease and stroke to brain health more broadly defined. Dr. Elkind develops and leads initiatives on basic and clinical brain science, including stroke, aging and dementia, migraine, traumatic brain injury, and mental health; food Is medicine approaches to health; cardiometabolic and kidney health; digital health; and others. He is also a tenured Professor Emeritus of Neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University and founding Chief of the Division of Neurology Clinical Outcomes Research and Population Sciences (Neuro CORPS) in the Neurology Department at Columbia. Dr. Elkind received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and trained in Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, both in Boston. He completed a fellowship in Vascular Neurology and Neuroepidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 2 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
Brain dysfunction in sepsis is often under-recognized, yet its impacts can be profound and enduring. This episode focuses on sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) and delirium, including how neuroinflammation, disrupted perfusion, and metabolic derangements contribute to altered mental status. We’ll examine approaches to mitigate acute neurological decline and delve into the long-term cognitive and psychological consequences that linger even after sepsis resolution.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Explain the pathophysiological processes underlying sepsis-associated encephalopathy and delirium;
Recognize early signs of neurological dysfunction and implement non-pharmacological delirium prevention strategies;
Analyse the impact of acute brain dysfunction on overall patient prognosis and systemic organ function;
Develop post-acute care plans addressing cognitive and psychological rehabilitation for sepsis survivors.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Kevin J. Tracey, MD
President and CEO, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
Professor, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research and Professor, Molecular Medicine and Neurosurgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Executive Vice President, Research, Northwell Health
Kevin J. Tracey, MD, is president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, a pioneer of vagus nerve research, and author of The Great Nerve. A leader in the scientific fields of inflammation and neuroscience, his lab studies vagus nerve stimulation and bioelectronic medicine. His contributions include first identifying the therapeutic action of monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies and discovering the specific reflex control of immunity by the nervous system, called the “inflammatory reflex.” These discoveries launched the new scientific field called bioelectronic medicine, which investigates the therapeutic applications of vagus nerve stimulation to cure disease.
Dr. Tracey, a neurosurgeon, pursued studies of inflammation after the mysterious death of a toddler from sepsis who was in his care. His lab has since revealed molecular mechanisms of inflammation and identified the use of vagus nerve stimulation to treat it. An inventor on more than 120 U.S. patents and the author of more than 450 scientific publications, he is among the most highly cited scientists in the world. He co-founded the Global Sepsis Alliance, is the author of Fatal Sequence (Dana Press), and is a national and international lecturer.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 3 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
Often overshadowed in acute management, hepatic dysfunction in sepsis disrupts detoxification, coagulation, and immune modulation. In this session, we’ll break down the mechanisms of sepsis-associated cholestasis and hypoxic hepatitis, how to interpret liver biomarkers in the context of systemic illness, and why hepatic dysfunction compounds other organ injuries. We’ll also consider pathways to hepatic recovery and what persistent liver dysfunction means for long-term outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Summarize the key mechanisms of hepatic dysfunction in sepsis, including hypoxic hepatitis and cholestasis;
Analyze liver biomarker trends to differentiate between sepsis-induced hepatic injury and pre-existing liver disease;
Discuss the metabolic and immunological roles of the liver and how its dysfunction exacerbates MODS;
Formulate monitoring and recovery strategies for patients with sepsis-associated liver dysfunction.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Craig Jenne, PhD
Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Critical Care Medicine
University of Calgary
Craig Jenne, PhD, is a Professor within the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Calgary and holds an adjunct appointment within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jenne is the Jessie Boden Lloyd Professor in Immunology Research and is the Deputy Director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease.
Dr. Jenne’s research program has published more than 100 journal articles, receiving more than 13,000 citations, an h-index of 51 and an i10-index of 85. Dr. Jenne’s research uses intravital microscopy to study host-pathogen interactions and their role in the inflammatory and immunothrombotic responses to bacterial and viral infection. This multi-disciplinary research focus using advanced, cutting-edge imaging technology has allowed Dr. Jenne to establish a competitive and cross-cutting training program at the University of Calgary that provides mentorship of trainees through basic science, human medicine, and veterinary medicine.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 4 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
The gut plays a silent yet pivotal role in the trajectory of sepsis. When the intestinal barrier fails, translocation of bacteria and toxins fuels systemic inflammation, exacerbating MODS. This episode explores the “motor and immune” dysfunction of the GI tract in sepsis, impacts on nutrition and absorption, and the cascading effects on the microbiome. We’ll cover both acute management and strategies to support gut recovery post-sepsis.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Describe how gut barrier dysfunction contributes to systemic inflammation and multi-organ failure in sepsis;
Differentiate between clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal dysfunction in acute sepsis phases;
Apply principles of early enteral nutrition and microbiome-preserving interventions in septic patients;
Evaluate the long-term nutritional and gastrointestinal rehabilitation needs of sepsis survivors.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Kaveh Hoda, MD
Gastroenterologist
Kaiser Permanente - South San Francisco Medical Center
Kaveh Hoda, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist practicing in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience in internal medicine and digestive health, he brings clinical depth and a humanistic approach to patient care. Beyond the hospital and clinics, Dr. Hoda is the host and producer of the acclaimed podcast, The House of Pod, where he explores medicine, culture, and society with humor and candor. His work bridges the gap between science and storytelling, making complex topics accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 5 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common but complex component of MODS, with far-reaching effects on fluid balance, acid-base regulation, and overall prognosis. This episode examines how renal dysfunction develops in sepsis, whether from hypoperfusion, inflammatory insult, or nephrotoxicity, and what the kidneys are (or aren’t) doing during the acute phase. We’ll discuss diagnostic markers, renal replacement therapies, and considerations for post-sepsis renal recovery.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Explain the primary mechanisms contributing to acute kidney injury (AKI) during sepsis;
Interpret renal function tests and emerging biomarkers to detect early stages of sepsis-associated AKI;
Implement evidence-based strategies for fluid management and renal replacement therapy initiation in septic patients;
Assess the implications of AKI on multi-organ dysfunction and post-sepsis renal recovery.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Gonzalo Matzumura, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
WashU Medicine
Gonzalo Matzumura Umemoto, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine. He serves as the Director of Acute Dialysis Services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
He earned his medical degree in 2007 from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at UTHealth (McGovern Medical School) in Houston (2016) and went on to finish his Nephrology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis in 2019.
Dr. Matzumura is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. His clinical and research interests include acute kidney injury, onconephrology, continuous renal replacement therapy, functional renal imaging, kidney biopsy, and point-of-care ultrasound.
He has received recognition including the “Karen L. Campbell PhD Travel Award” from the American Society of Nephrology and was named Junior Resident of the Year during his internal medicine training.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Episode 6 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Sepsis and MODS podcast
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains one of the most visible and life-threatening manifestations of sepsis. But what’s really happening at the alveolar level when the lungs “go offline”? In this episode, we’ll explore the mechanisms of pulmonary dysfunction in sepsis, from inflammatory injury to fluid shifts and impaired gas exchange. Learn how early recognition of respiratory compromise, ventilatory strategies, and supportive care can influence both immediate survival and long-term pulmonary recovery.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:
Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to pulmonary dysfunction and ARDS in sepsis.
Identify early clinical signs and diagnostic indicators of respiratory compromise in septic patients.
Apply lung-protective ventilation strategies to optimize oxygenation and minimize ventilator-induced lung injury.
Evaluate the potential long-term respiratory outcomes in patients recovering from sepsis-associated ARDS.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Guests:
Julie Bastarache, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Julie Bastarache, MD, is a pulmonary and critical care physician scientist with a research interest in sepsis and organ dysfunction during critical illness. Her translational research program at the Laboratory for Science and Translation in Critical Illness (LSTCI) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center conducts both observational studies in patients and experiential studies in sepsis models to define mechanisms of organ injury.
CE Information:
Sepsis Alliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Sepsis Alliance designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.8 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 0.5 contact hours.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
All other individuals in control of content disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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 professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
