Sepsis Diagnostics: Understanding Clinical Utility Through the Patient Perspective

Description:

This session was part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2026

Sepsis diagnostic tools are often evaluated according to clinical performance, speed, and mortality outcomes. Yet, these measures may not capture the full impact of delayed, missed, or uncertain diagnoses on patients and families. This session brings the patient perspective into conversations about diagnostic value, examining how real-world experiences can reveal overlooked consequences and priorities across the care journey. Attendees will consider how partnering with patients and caregivers can produce more relevant evidence and support diagnostic innovations that improve care in ways that are meaningful to those directly affected by sepsis.

Session Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner should be able to:

• Describe how patient and caregiver experience data can identify gaps in the sepsis diagnostic journey and inform more patient-centered approaches to evaluating the clinical utility of sepsis diagnostic tools.
• Explain why outcomes that matter to sepsis survivors and caregivers extend beyond mortality, and how incorporating these patient-centered outcomes can strengthen assessment of diagnostic protocols. 
• Restate strategies for meaningfully engaging patients and caregivers as research partners to generate evidence that improves the earlier use of and evaluation of sepsis diagnostics.

Target Audience:

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.