Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock

To the Editor The Sepsis Definitions Task Force published a series of articles that proposed a new definition of sepsis and septic shock, including revision of the current definitions of severe sepsis and septic shock.¹ Because the definitions of sepsis and septic shock are integral to the recently implemented Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sepsis measure (SEP-1: Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock), clinicians and hospital stakeholders have questioned how the proposed definitions may affect the SEP-1 measure specifications.