Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Diagnostics and Diagnostic Stewardship

Description:

Sepsis remains a leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals and delayed or missed diagnosis continues to drive poor outcomes. Mortality increases by 4–9% for every hour treatment is delayed, yet missed infections, most commonly those that progress to sepsis, remain a leading source of diagnostic error. Rapid recognition and timely treatment can save up to 80% of patients with septic shock.

Advances in molecular diagnostics, host-response biomarkers, and AI-enabled decision support offer new opportunities to improve early sepsis recognition. Diagnostic stewardship, which includes ensuring appropriate test selection, interpretation, and action, is an essential but underutilized strategy to maximize the impact of these innovations.

The Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Diagnostics and Diagnostic Stewardship will convene clinicians, laboratorians, pharmacists, researchers, and healthcare leaders to address critical gaps in diagnostic accuracy and implementation. This virtual program will highlight emerging technologies, real-world case examples, and practical strategies to strengthen diagnostic stewardship and improve patient outcomes.

Target Audience:

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, leadership, and more.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this event, learners will be able to:

• Describe the current burden of sepsis and the impact of delayed or missed diagnosis on patient outcomes.
• Identify emerging diagnostic approaches for sepsis, including molecular diagnostics, host-response biomarkers, and AI-enabled decision support tools.
• Interpret sepsis diagnostic test results and apply them appropriately to support timely clinical decision-making.
• Define diagnostic stewardship and its role in improving diagnostic accuracy and complementing antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
• Identify common barriers to implementing sepsis diagnostic and stewardship strategies across healthcare settings.
• Apply evidence-based and technology-supported strategies to improve early sepsis recognition and patient outcomes within their own practice or health system.