New Jersey Now One of Three States to Mandate Sepsis Protocols
January 18, 2018
In an effort to improve sepsis diagnosis and care, New Jersey joins the states of New York and Illinois in mandating the implementation of sepsis protocols in its hospitals. On December 21, the New Jersey Health Care Administration Board approved N.J.A.C. 8:43G-14.9, “Sepsis protocols.”
Major components of the rule include:
- A hospital shall establish, implement, and periodically update, evidence-based protocols for the early identification and treatment of patients with sepsis and septic shock.
Protocols shall address:
- The screening of patients with healthcare acquired and community-acquired sepsis and septic shock;
- Treatment guidelines;
- Components that are population-specific as clinically indicated in accordance with evidence-based best practices;
- Training of clinical staff in the sepsis protocols, with all existing staff being trained by July 16, 2018.
The original proposed version of the rule can be seen here, and the notice of final adoption here.
Sepsis Alliance offered a letter of support to Cathleen D. Bennett, Commissioner of the Department of Health for New Jersey, in September 2017.
The state of New York was the first to mandate sepsis protocols in 2013 and the initiative in Illinois passed in 2016. In other states, such as Ohio, hospital associations are leading the push for sepsis protocols.
