Sepsis is a major worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Sands et al described the epidemiology of sepsis in 8 academic medical centers in the United States. They reported that sepsis is the leading cause of death in patients admitted to noncoronary intensive care units. The National Vital Statistics Report indicated that sepsis is the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States, based on data for septicemia.

Angus et al studied the age-specific incidence and outcomes of sepsis in the United States. Their investigation indicates that there are more than 750,000 cases of severe sepsis (sepsis with organ dysfunction) each year in the United States.

Based on data from Angus et al, more than 500 Americans die of severe sepsis daily.

Angus DC, Linde-Zwirble WT, Lidicker J, et al. Incidence, cost, outcome of severe sepsis in the United States. Crit Care Med. 2001 (In Press).

Murphy SL. Deaths: final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports Web site. Available at: www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/mvs48_11.pdf.

Sands KE, Bates DW, Lanken PN, et al. Epidemiology of sepsis syndrome in 8 academic medical centers. JAMA. 1997;278:234-40.