Does Electronic Sepsis Screening Affect Mortality?

Observational data have been mixed about whether electronic health record (EHR) screening for sepsis improves outcomes. Saudi investigators used a step-wedged, cluster-randomized design to assess 45 hospital wards (i.e., clusters) — 60,000 adults — in which an EHR sepsis screening intervention was implemented at different times for each ward during 2 years (2019–2021). When a ward was randomized to the EHR intervention, any patient who screened positive on the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA; positive for ≥2 of 3 domains) triggered an electronic alert sent to the patient's nurse and physician, with expected acknowledgement, documentation, and possible actions. Ward clinicians were trained about these alerts and how to respo…