DRIVe and Sepsis Alliance Partner to Improve Sepsis Patient Outcomes Through Innovative Learning Solutions

Sepsis Alliance and DRIVe, a U.S. government division focused on accelerating innovative products and approaches to improve the nation’s health security, are partnering to create the Sepsis Institute in order to prevent a major sepsis public health crisis in the event of a national pandemic, or a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. High rates of infection in any of these situations can lead to sepsis.

Taking an estimated 270,000 Americans lives each year, sepsis occurs when the body’s response to infection results in an overwhelming  immune reaction that can cause serious tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Early identification of sepsis is critical, because mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour treatment is delayed.

“Increasingly sepsis is being recognized as a medical emergency, a leading cause of death and a major public health concern,” said Thomas Heymann, Sepsis Alliance president and executive director. “Through this exciting new partnership with DRIve to develop the Sepsis Institute, sepsis is now being addressed as a national security risk that can threaten our nation’s health and well-being.”

The Sepsis Institute, an innovative educational multiplatform training program, will provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to rapidly diagnose and treat sepsis. Healthcare providers will have access to high quality, evidence-based sepsis education and training. This will include training modules for providers across the continuum of care, from primary care practitioners, emergency medical services personnel, nurses, and emergency room physicians.

DRIVe (Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures) aims to achieve solutions to America’s 21st century health security challenges through collaboration and support for the development of innovative products and approaches. DRIVe is an initiative of BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

DRIVe’s Solving Sepsis program supports the development of transformational technologies, including preventive and mitigation measures to reduce sepsis incidence, morbidity and mortality, as well as economic burden. The program is part of DRIVe’s mission to support transformative innovation to protect Americans from 21st century health security threats.

DRIVe and Sepsis Alliance are committed to establishing a public-non-profit organization partnership, with DRIVe contributing $427,248 of the total $622,248 estimated project cost to establish the Sepsis Institute and develop educational content. Sepsis Alliance will fund the remaining development costs.

Source: Sepsis Alliance, DRIVe