Sepsis Guidelines for Nurses

Nurses on the Front Line of Sepsis

Sepsis accounts for nearly 20% of deaths worldwide and is the leading cause of hospital deaths in the U.S. On average, 35% of patients diagnosed with septic shock do not survive and nearly 60% experience negative long-term effects post-sepsis. And almost half of sepsis cases globally occur among children.

These sobering statistics underscore the need for nurses to remain vigilant in identifying sepsis. Early recognition and treatment are essential to surviving sepsis and septic shock. As a nurse, your crucial first assessment can make all the difference ― but you need to know the signs and when to speak up.

AACN offers an array of resources that translate current sepsis guidelines (adult and children), research and evidence-based practices for nurses to apply at the bedside.

What Nurses Can Do

Actions to help prepare you and your unit for the fight against sepsis

Keep Current

… with definitions, guidelines, bundle recommendations and nursing care for patients with sepsis and septic shock. Access updates in AACN’s Continuing Education Activities library.

Talk Frequently

… about sepsis recommendations, updates, bundles and questions with colleagues and providers. Help educate patients and families about their role in addressing sepsis.

Share Resources

… with your colleagues to help all of you stay up-to-date on sepsis. Work with your educator, manager or the clinical leaders on your unit to develop an information-sharing process.

Assess Thoughtfully

… and use data to guide your decision-making and patient care priorities. If in doubt, validate your assessments and clinical decisions with a peer, APRN or other healthcare provider.

Key Sepsis Resources

To support you in recognizing the signs of sepsis, delivering timely and effective care, and understanding the latest evidence-based practices, AACN offers the following featured resources.

2026 SSC Adult Guidelines Updates

This webinar explores the updated adult Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines, including new recommendations, implementation strategies, and best practices for managing sepsis and septic shock.

2026 SSC Children's Guidelines Updates

This webinar reviews the updated pediatric Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines, including new recommendations, implementation strategies and considerations for managing sepsis and septic shock.

Sepsis: A Hidden Threat Every Nurse Must Recognize to Save Lives

This summary highlights key risk factors, current definitions, management guidelines and the essential role nurses play in rapid identification, treatment and prevention.

Improving Sepsis Outcomes

Explore how integrating social determinants of health into sepsis readmission risk models can help reduce readmissions, improve prediction accuracy, and support equitable care for high-risk patients. Learn more about strategies to optimize postdischarge outcomes for sepsis survivors.

Inadequate Oxygen Delivery in Children With Sepsis

Review this discussion of predictive analytics — including the IDo2 index — for oxygen delivery in pediatric patients with sepsis.

HALT Sepsis – Think Sepsis First!

This nurse-led initiative focuses on improving early recognition and communication of sepsis symptoms to decrease mortality and ICU transfers.

Sepsis Micro-Credential

As the first line of defense against sepsis, acute and critical care professionals must recognize the signs and symptoms and intervene appropriately as early as possible. Validate your specialty knowledge in caring for patients with or at risk of sepsis by earning a micro-credential from AACN.

Explore Micro-Credential

Nursing Insight: New Developments in Sepsis Guidelines and Care

In this interview video, sepsis program manager Joanna Lejnieks shares her perspective on key aspects of the updated Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines (International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2026). A guidelines co-author and AACN’s liaison on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines Panel, Lejnieks offers an insider’s view of the changes.

The [new] guidelines have some very clear remarks on when we need to shift and tailor our treatment to benefit that patient in the bed right in front of you. Early identification is how we save lives from sepsis. Just like stroke, time is tissue for sepsis.
Joanna Lejnieks, MSN, RN, CCRN

Additional Resources

Explore AACN’s complete library of sepsis-focused resources to enhance your knowledge and support your practice.