Sepsis is defined as a clinical syndrome in which patients have an infection that is accompanied by an extreme systemic response. Sepsis of sufficient severity that the function of major organ systems in the body (such as heart, kidney, brain, and others) is impaired is referred to as “severe sepsis.” Patients with severe sepsis that have continued organ system impairment and/or low blood pressure that does not respond to treatment with adequate fluid replacement are considered to be in “septic shock.” The combination of early detection of sepsis coupled with timely, appropriate interventions can significantly improve the chances of survival for patients with all types of sepsis.

The datasets contain hospital-level treatment measures and hospital-level risk-adjusted mortality rates for adult patients, with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock seen at New York State Article 28 (acute care) facilities and reported to the New York State Department of Health in 2015 and 2016.

The treatment measures and risk adjusted mortality rates are presented by hospital. Only hospital level measure data for which there were at least ten cases in the denominator is reported. Statewide measures are calculated using all hospitals, regardless of the number of sepsis cases treated.