New data reveals path to SEP-1 success includes early sepsis risk stratification
A new study presented at the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) conference reveals how Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., achieved a double-digit increase in SEP-1 quality metric performance by integrating Cytovale’s IntelliSep rapid host response sepsis test with appropriate electronic health record (EHR) documentation into its emergency department (ED) protocol.
The study highlights how the IntelliSep sepsis test empowers clinicians to identify sepsis earlier—often before traditional clinical criteria are met—and avoid overtreatment of patients unlikely to benefit from sepsis interventions. By providing a first-ever look at the dysregulated immune response to infection that leads to sepsis, this solution may offer a roadmap for hospitals and health systems nationwide seeking to boost compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) SEP-1 quality measure.
The study assessed the impact of integrating IntelliSep into clinical and documentation workflows on SEP-1 compliance using data from 598 patients discharged with sepsis ICD-10 codes. OLOL, a high-performing hospital already exceeding national SEP-1 compliance benchmarks, reported a 28.9% relative increase in SEP-1 performance over a six-month period, rising from 61.2% in July 2024 to 78.9% in December 2024. The hospital achieved these dramatic improvements using an innovative sepsis protocol that involves:
- Objective insight into sepsis risk with an ~8-minute sepsis lab test that supports timely, patient-centered care at the time of triage
- Empowering clinicians to confidently intervene with sepsis treatment for high-risk patients and pursue alternative care pathways for those at low risk
- Improved early EHR documentation with dot phrases referencing the FDA-cleared IntelliSep test for early sepsis detection—providing an easy, effective way to communicate when the SEP-1 bundle should or shouldn't apply
For more details download the study, “Investigation of the Effect of Implementing a Host Response Test on SEP-1 Compliance.”
