Governor Cuomo announces New York to lead the nation in fighting sepsis

Death of Irish child Rory Staunton leads to major overhaul of safety measures

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Rory Staunton’s death, by sepsis, will save up to 8,000 lives a year. New hospital procedures introduced in the state of New York.

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State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., said "Early detection of sepsis is a vital tool to treat this potentially life-threatening condition and save lives. Using evidence-based standards, we have identified key protocols to improve patient outcomes for sepsis. Further, we are taking additional steps to ensure that children's vital health information, including lab and test results, is communicated effectively to both parents and primary care providers. Thanks to Governor Cuomo, New York is a leader in implementing these critical measures."

Sepsis is a progressive shutdown of the body's organs and systems caused by systemic inflammation following infection that enters the blood or soft tissue. More than 750,000 Americans get sepsis each year, and over 200,000 die from it, making it the leading cause of death in hospitals and the eleventh leading cause of death overall in the United States, killing more people annually than AIDS, prostate cancer, and breast cancer combined. Those who don't die often experience life-altering consequences like missing limbs or organ dysfunction. Given its prevalence and consequences, sepsis is a huge driver of medical costs, accounting for an estimated $17 billion annually in national healthcare expenses.

Experts agree that the key to fighting sepsis is ensuring quick diagnosis and treatment within the "golden hour" when it can be most effective. Pilot initiatives in some hospital systems have shown great strides in decreasing sepsis mortality through effective implementation of what is basically a "checklist": a standardized protocol to facilitate quick and accurate diagnosis and fast and effective treatment as soon as any sign of sepsis arises. But no state has required these simple protocols be implemented at all hospitals.

Read More: Tragic death of Rory Staunton to save thousands of lives with new sepsis law

The regulations announced today will make New York the first state in the nation to require all hospitals to adopt evidence-based protocols for the early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Specifically, hospitals will be required to adopt protocols that provide for:

   - The screening and early recognition of patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock;
   - A process to identify and document individuals appropriate for treatment through severe sepsis protocols; and
    -Guidelines for treatment including for early delivery of antibiotics.

Protocols must be evidence-based and based on generally accepted standards of care and include components specific to the identification, care and treatment of adults and of children and make clear when different approaches are required for adults and children.

Guidance to be issued by the Department of Health following adoption of these regulations will outline the specific timeframe goals that current research shows to be a best practice: for example, pursuing administration of antibiotics within one hour of a diagnosis of sepsis, and implementation of other protocol components within 3 or 6 hours (for severe sepsis and septic shock) as appropriate. Including this information in guidance materials will allow it to be updated based on research findings and scientific advancement.

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