Opening Remarks:

During these opening remarks, Sepsis Alliance will introduce this year’s 2025 Erin Kay Flatley Spirit Award Winner. Attendees will hear remarks from both Dr. Carl Flatley, the founder of Sepsis Alliance, and our 2025 award recipient.

The Erin Kay Flatley Spirit Award recognizes outstanding dedication, sacrifice, and contribution to improving sepsis awareness and reducing the suffering caused by sepsis. The award was named for Dr. Flatley’s daughter, Erin, who died from sepsis in 2002.

Wife and Death: A Lady Glaucomflecken Keynote:

Medical crises create profound, lasting impacts not only for patients but also for co-survivors—the family members, partners, and close associates who witness and endure these traumatic experiences alongside them. Kristin Flanary, patient and family advocate known online as "Lady Glaucomflecken," shares her deeply personal insights into the co-survivorship journey, drawing from her own experiences of co-surviving life-altering medical emergencies alongside her husband. Kristin introduces the concept of the "Quiet Place" and her "Explain-Name-Validate" framework as essential tools for addressing the often unseen psychological and emotional impacts on co-survivors. Through storytelling and practical strategies, Kristin will guide healthcare professionals in recognizing and honoring the dignity, needs, and healing processes of co-survivors, emphasizing the importance of compassionate, trauma-informed healthcare, particularly relevant to families affected by sepsis.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Define co-survivorship as a distinct, impactful experience requiring targeted recognition and support, particularly in severe illnesses such as sepsis;
• Identify the unique psychological, emotional, and cognitive challenges faced by co-survivors, independent of their relationship to the patient;
• Describe the "Explain-Name-Validate" framework and demonstrate how healthcare providers can apply this model to support co-survivors in trauma-informed ways;
• List practical strategies for creating healthcare environments that are sensitive to the needs of co-survivors, incorporating lessons from patient-centered practices such as those found in pediatric and palliative care.

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.

Kristin Flanary, MA, International Speaker, Podcaster, Glaucomflecken

Carl Flatley, DDS, MSD, Founder, Sepsis Alliance

Theresa M. Mostasisa, EdD, PHN, DSD, MS, BSN, RN, Quality Nurse Consultant, Sepsis Coordinator, Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings, making accurate and effective quality measurement essential to improving outcomes. This session will explore the latest updates in sepsis quality measures, focusing on newly introduced components and revised standards. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key elements in the updated measures, how they differ from previous benchmarks, and the rationale behind these changes. The session will also critically evaluate the potential implications of these updates for clinical practice, quality improvement initiatives, and compliance reporting. This session aims to equip participants with the knowledge needed to align practice with evolving quality standards and enhance patient care.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Describe the key components of the updated sepsis quality measures;
• Restate how updated sepsis quality measures differ from previous standards and evaluate their potential impact on clinical practice.

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.

Raymund Dantes, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory Healthcare

Kristina Betz, MD, PhD, Lead of the Measure Development and Validation Unit for Surveillance Branch/National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at CDC

Description: 

Part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

This sponsored session will examine the link between fluid resuscitation in patients with sepsis and mortality. The presentation will examine the literature on this subject, starting with Dr. Rivers and early goal-directed therapy (EGDT), going through the present day, including the SEP-1 guidelines. The importance of “getting fluid right” in the care of patients with sepsis will be the focus of the presentation. It will also include a review of the benefits of dynamic assessments and the clinical outcomes that can be attained when incorporating them into sepsis resuscitation protocols.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Baxter. 

Angela Craig, MS, APN, CCNS, CCRN, Medical Science Liaison - Medical Affairs, Baxter

Lisa M Soltis, MSN, APRN, PCCN, CCRN-CSC-CMC, CES-A, CCNS, FCNS, FCCM, Sr. ECMO Clinical Support Specialist, Heart and Lung Division, Fresenius Medical Care

Visit the Exhibit Hall and participate in the scavenger hunt for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards during the break!

Description: 

This dynamic panel discussion brings together a diverse group of experts, including physicians, nurses, scientists, and a sepsis survivor, to explore innovative strategies for improving sepsis care across the full continuum of treatment. From early identification and intervention to long-term recovery and support, panelists will share clinical insights, lived experiences, and emerging research to challenge conventional models of care. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how multidisciplinary collaboration can transform outcomes before, during, and after the acute care phase of sepsis. 

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.

David Carlbom, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Fatima Sheikh, MSc, PhD(c), PhD Candidate in the Health Research Methodology program, Communications Assistant, Sepsis Canada

Hailey Bain, Sepsis Survivor & Patient Partner, Sepsis Canada

Catherine (Terri) Hough, MD, MSc, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University

Kristina Rudd, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Stephanie Taylor, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine (with tenure), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan

John Boyd, MD, Intensivist and Investigator at the Institute for Heart + Lung Health, Providence Hearth and Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

The AHA Living Learning Network: Sepsis Champions Leadership Series highlights collective insights from hospitals nationwide working to reduce the impact of sepsis. This session explores the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities identified across diverse care settings, illustrating how shared learning and cross-institutional collaboration drive measurable progress. Practical examples demonstrate how lessons from the network can be translated into stronger hospital-based programmes, with an emphasis on sustaining improvements and accelerating innovation in sepsis care.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Identify common sepsis challenges and opportunities for improvement reported by hospitals nationwide;
• Explain the value of collaborative learning and cross-institutional support in advancing sepsis care;
• Evaluate opportunities to apply lessons learned from the collaborative to strengthen their own hospital’s sepsis program.

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.

Kavita Bhat, MD, MPH, CPHQ, Senior Program Manager, AHA Funded Partnerships, American Hospital Association

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization across the United States. This session will explore recent data and trends related to hospital and emergency department visits for sepsis, with a focus on utilization patterns, patient outcomes, and associated costs. Attendees will also be introduced to key tools and resources from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that support data-driven decision-making and quality improvement initiatives in sepsis care.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Review trends in utilization, outcomes, and cost of sepsis hospitalizations and ED visits;
• Identify and access AHRQ’s resources related to monitoring and improving care for sepsis.

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.

Pamela Owens, PhD, Director of the Division for Healthcare Data and Analytics in the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

This sponsored session explores the urgent clinical challenges of diagnosing fungal sepsis, with a focus on the rising threat of Candida auris (C. auris). It will highlight the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods in detecting fungal pathogens quickly and accurately, especially in critically ill patients. Advancements in molecular diagnostics, including rapid PCR and syndromic panels, are presented as transformative tools that offer broader pathogen coverage, faster time-to-result, and improved sensitivity. Special attention is given to the role of molecular testing in identifying C. auris colonization, which is crucial for outbreak control and infection prevention. The presentation will also outline the clinical and public health value of these innovations, from earlier antifungal therapy to potential cost savings and enhanced stewardship. Finally, we will look ahead to global surveillance efforts and treatment strategies, concluding with a call to action: rapid diagnostics are not just helpful; they’re lifesaving.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Diasorin: Molecular Diagnostics. 

Siu Kei (Jacky) Chow, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Clinical Laboratory Director, Multicare Health System Washington State

Visit the Exhibit Hall and participate in the scavenger hunt for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards during the break!

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

In today’s value-based care environment, understanding the intersection of clinical documentation and quality performance measures is critical. This session will demystify three key components of hospital performance: SEP-1 (Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle), CDI (Clinical Documentation Integrity), and HVBP (Hospital Value-Based Purchasing), and explore how they interact to influence both compliance and reimbursement.

Participants will gain clarity on what each program entails, how they are interconnected, and why documentation accuracy is pivotal to success. The session will also highlight common pitfalls in clinical documentation that often lead to SEP-1 compliance failures and provide real-world examples of how CDI programs can proactively address these challenges. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen documentation processes, improve SEP-1 performance, and enhance overall quality metrics under HVBP.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Define what SEP-1, CDI, and HVBP stand for and how each affects the other;
• Identify common documentation pitfalls that lead to SEP-1 compliance fallouts;
• Demonstrate how CDI programs can impact SEP-1 performance.

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.

Alexis Wells, MSN, RN, CCDS, LSSYB, Associate Director of Education and Quality, Emory Healthcare

Stacia Gandee, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, LSSYB, Manager of Clinical Documentation Integrity, JPS Health Network

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

This session will provide an overview of the “Slay Sepsis” campaign, a sepsis quality-improvement program at Cottage Hospital that began in 2008. Attendees will gain insight into the program’s development, including its current multidisciplinary team structure and the strategic infrastructure changes shaping its future. The session will highlight key successes from the Joint Commission certification process and explore the initiatives and innovations that contributed to that achievement. Attendees will also hear about current projects, such as the development of predictive tools and order set optimization, designed to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. The presenter will also share a brief overview of related research work, past and present.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Describe the history of the Cottage Hospital sepsis program from its inception to its current structure;
• Identify key components and strategies that contributed to successful Joint Commission certification;
• Describe ongoing infrastructure and quality improvement changes, as well as current and future directions and research for improving sepsis care.

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.

Natalie Achamallah, MD, MA, MS, FCCP, Director of Critical Care Education for Internal Medicine Residency, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

This sponsored session introduces the FDA-authorized Sepsis ImmunoScore™, an AI-driven tool that analyzes individual biological and clinical data to assess a patient’s risk for sepsis or progression to sepsis within 24 hours. By combining advanced biomarker analysis with machine learning, ImmunoScore™ offers a personalized approach to risk stratification, complementing traditional early warning systems and supporting timely clinical decision-making in emergency and hospital settings.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Roche. 

Robin Carver, RN, MSN, CIC, Vice President, Health System Management, Prenosis, Inc.

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

The session summarizes early findings from a patient experience study on Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (SA-AKI). The presentation details the study’s patient-centric methodology, including interviews with individuals from the U.S. and Germany, aimed at eliciting symptoms and life impacts of SA-AKI. Key burdensome symptoms identified include cognitive decline, kidney dysfunction, and physical fatigue, while impacts span emotional distress, sleep issues, and financial strain. The results of this research, once finalized, aim to improve awareness of the disease, inform clinical trials and clinical practice in SA-AKI.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Novartis. 

Simon Messner, PhD, Director, Patient Engagement Scientific Excellence, Novartis

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

The effects of sepsis don’t end on discharge. Survivors often face a challenging road to recovery, with many at risk of readmission due to complications, recurrence, or gaps in follow-up care. In this session, a hospital sepsis program manager and an IS Advanced Application Analyst join forces to explore how clinical insight and health IT can work together to support patients after sepsis. Using real-world examples, they’ll walk attendees through how hospitals can identify patients most at risk for recurrence, implement structured follow-up and care coordination strategies, and use EHR tools to track progress and flag concerns. The session will also highlight approaches to delivering targeted education for both patients and providers to improve recovery outcomes and reduce the likelihood of preventable readmissions.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Identify key risk factors and warning signs of sepsis recurrence and risk factors for readmission;
• List effective strategies for post-discharge monitoring and follow-up care to improve patient outcomes and prevent readmission;
• Describe effective patient and provider education for all levels of post-discharge care.

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.

Philip Nicotera, MHA, PA-C, Sepsis Program Manager, Lee Health

Scott Liebal, BSN, CCRN, Advanced Application Analyst, Medical Informatics, Lee Health

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

During the Day 1 closing remarks of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025, sepsis survivor and advocate, Myrna Pair, will share her experience with sepsis following emergent exploratory abdominal surgery. She will also delve into her journey forward as a sepsis awareness advocate and an advocate for other sepsis survivors. 

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.

Myrna Pair, Sepsis Survivor and Advocate,

Opening Remarks: Ronnie "The King" Coleman, Sepsis Survivor and Advocate

During these opening remarks, former professional bodybuilder, Ronnie “The King” Coleman, will share his personal experience with sepsis and provide an update on his recovery journey. Mr. Coleman will also share the inspiration for his #RonnieStrong campaign, a global movement dedicated to raising funds and awareness for sepsis. 

Keynote: Pediatric Sepsis from the Perspective of "The Pitt"

In this Keynote presentation, step into the fast-paced world of emergency medicine through the lens of a Pittsburgh ER physician who served as a medical advisor for The Pitt, a popular medical drama TV show on HBO Max. Dr. Owusu-Ansah will weave real-life clinical insight with storytelling, offering a compelling look at how pediatric sepsis presents and is managed in the emergency department. Drawing from frontline experiences, the presentation will explore risk factors, symptom recognition, and evidence-based treatment approaches, while also examining how medical narratives in television can influence awareness, understanding, and education around critical conditions like pediatric sepsis.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Restate the latest definitions around pediatric sepsis and septic shock
• Identify risk factors and clinical manifestations from the perspective of an emergency department physician
• Describe current treatment strategies for pediatric sepsis
• Analyze how media can enhance perspectives around pediatric sepsis education

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.

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah MD, MPH. FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine; Associate Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Ronnie Coleman, Former Mr. Olympia and Professional Bodybuilder, Sepsis Survivor and Advocate, #RonnieStrong

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Sepsis is often associated with patients who have underlying chronic illnesses, but an important and often overlooked population includes those who were previously healthy. This session will explore the distinctive characteristics, clinical trajectories, and outcomes of sepsis in patients without pre-existing comorbidities. Through a comparative lens, we will examine how their presentation, management, and prognosis differ from those with chronic health conditions. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the nuanced challenges in recognizing sepsis early in this population and the critical importance of timely diagnosis and intervention. The session aims to elevate clinical awareness and improve strategies for identifying and managing sepsis in patients who may otherwise appear at low risk.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Compare and contrast the baseline characteristics, management, and outcomes of previously healthy patients with sepsis versus those with significant comorbidities;
• Demonstrate enhanced awareness for sepsis diagnosis and the critical need for timely intervention even in patients who appear relatively healthy.

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.

Rachel K. Hechtman, MD, Clinical Lecturer, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

In this sponsored session, the presenters will share a novel approach to enhance the early identification of patients who are at risk of developing sepsis by combining pancreatic stone protein (PSP), an early warning biomarker of sepsis, with commonly used Risk Assessment screening tools in ED triage. They will share recent clinical results and a planned study designed to strengthen the case for using PSP in the ED.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Abionic.

Andrew Shorr, MD, MBA, Section Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC)

Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, MD, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Patrick Pestalozzi, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Abionic

Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall and participate in the scavenger hunt during the break!

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with timely diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial use being critical to improving patient outcomes. This session explores the evolving landscape of sepsis diagnostics, with a focus on emerging tools designed to enhance early detection and guide antibiotic stewardship in the Emergency Department (ED). Participants will gain insight into current diagnostic practices, examine gaps that persist in the timely recognition and treatment of suspected sepsis, and learn about innovative technologies poised to transform clinical workflows. The session will also address the practical challenges of implementing new diagnostic solutions, including barriers to adoption and opportunities for integration into ED protocols. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable knowledge to support better clinical decisions and improved patient care in the high-stakes environment of emergency medicine.

Learning Objectives:

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

• List current clinical practice and new tools to diagnose sepsis;
• Summarize gaps in diagnosis and antimicrobial stewardship in suspected sepsis;
• Recognize barriers and opportunities for implementation of new diagnostic tests for sepsis.

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.

Larissa May, MD, MSPH, MBA, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Hospital-acquired sepsis remains an under-recognized yet critical threat to patient safety, often eluding early detection and timely intervention. This session will explore the unique challenges in identifying and managing sepsis that develops during hospitalization. Participants will examine the key barriers that hinder early recognition and delay the implementation of evidence-based sepsis bundles. The session will also address the limitations of current detection tools and discuss how standard sepsis bundles can be adapted for greater relevance and effectiveness in hospital-acquired cases. Finally, attendees will learn system-based strategies to drive process improvements and enhance the reliability of sepsis care delivery across clinical settings.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Identify key barriers to early recognition of hospital-acquired sepsis and implementation of sepsis bundles;
• Analyze the limitations of current detection tools and illustrate the applicability of sepsis bundles to hospital-acquired sepsis;
• Describe strategies enhance system-based drivers and processes that improve the delivery of sepsis care.  

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.

Namita Jayaprakash, MB BcH BAO, MRCEM, Associate Medical Director - Quality and Safety, Emergency Medicine Physician Lead - Henry Ford Health Sepsis Program, Henry Ford Health

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

In this 15-minute sponsored session, Dr. David Hale, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Department Medical Director at ThedaCare New London Hospital, shares frontline insights from acute care in a rural Wisconsin community hospital. Drawing on years of experience across diverse patient populations, from urban Level 1 trauma centers to rural settings, Dr. Hale addresses the persistent challenge of distinguishing bacterial from viral infections in the Emergency Department, particularly when sepsis is suspected and time is of the essence. He highlights critical diagnostic gaps that complicate early disposition decisions and introduces LIAISON MeMed BV as a transformative host-response tool now integrated into his sepsis protocol. Through a compelling real-world case study, Dr. Hale demonstrates how rapid bacterial or viral infection determination can support faster, more confident clinical decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Diasorin Immunodiagnostics.

David B. Hale, MD, PhD, Director of Emergency Medicine, Associate Chief Medical Officer and ED Sepsis Champion, ThedaCare New London Hospital

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

SEP-1 defines how hospitals are expected to respond to sepsis, but it does not address every clinical decision point. This sponsored session explores how care teams are navigating the critical moments between fluid bolus, vasopressor timing, and perfusion reassessment using real-time tools that support confident, individualized decisions. With CMS now recognizing Carotid Flow Time as an acceptable reassessment method, hospitals have new options for managing compliance and patient safety without increasing burden. Attendees will learn how frontline teams are applying these strategies to reduce fluid-related harm, support timely intervention, and adapt to evolving regulatory expectations.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Flosonics Medical. 

Jaclyn Bond, MSN-LM, MBA-HM, RN, Former Director of Nursing,

Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall and participate in the scavenger hunt during the break!

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Sepsis is a highly heterogeneous condition, often eluding a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. This session focuses on the cutting-edge development of AI algorithms to uncover unique sepsis subphenotypes, enabling a precision medicine strategy that precisely matches treatments to individual patient profiles. The presenter will explore the methods used to develop and validate these algorithms, discuss the key challenges of implementing them in real-world clinical settings, and examine how clinical trials can be leveraged to evaluate their impact on patient outcomes. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the journey from algorithm development to bedside application and the pivotal role of AI in advancing personalized sepsis management.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Evaluate the methodological approaches used in developing and validating AI algorithms for sepsis subphenotyping;
• Analyze the key challenges and barriers to implementing AI algorithms for sepsis management in real-world clinical settings;
• Apply appropriate clinical trial designs for assessing the effectiveness of AI algorithms in personalized sepsis management.

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.

Sivasubramanium (Siva) Bhavani, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

Effective sepsis management extends far beyond initial bundle implementation. This session will guide clinicians through the critical process of ongoing patient reassessment, highlighting key clinical indicators that signal the need for intensified monitoring and intervention. Participants will explore the evolving pathophysiology of sepsis and how these changes influence treatment decisions throughout the continuum of care. Additionally, the session will review common sepsis-related complications and provide evidence-based strategies for escalating care in response to patient deterioration. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools to refine their clinical judgment and optimize outcomes in sepsis management.

Learning Objectives: 

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

• Identify clinical indicators requiring ongoing reassessments following initial bundle implementation;
• Explain the evolving pathophysiology of sepsis and its impact on patient management;
• Review sepsis-related complications and strategies to escalate care based on patient responses. 

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.

Sarah Vance MSN, RN, CCRN, Critical Care Nurse Educator, Consultant, Speaker, Writer, ISeeUNurse, LLC

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

 In this sponsored session, Dr. Khurshid Ghani, Clinical Professor of Urology, will present clinical insights from a recent case involving kidney stone treatment in a patient with a history of post-operative sepsis. Drawing from this complex scenario, Dr. Ghani will discusse critical patient risk factors for developing urosepsis following ureteroscopy, outlines key surgical objectives, and details the techniques used to navigate procedural challenges. He will also underscore the vital role of intrarenal pressure monitoring in reducing complications and enhancing patient outcomes.

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.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by Boston Scientific. 

Khurshid Ghani, M B ChB, MS, FRCS, Clinical Professor of Urology, University of Michigan

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

This session will explore the infrastructure and collaborative processes established by HMS Sepsis to support quality improvement across Michigan hospitals. Participants will gain insight into the variation in sepsis management practices and performance outcomes across sites, and examine real-world interventions implemented to improve patient care. The session will also highlight how multidisciplinary collaboration within quality collaboratives fosters shared learning and drives mutually beneficial improvements in sepsis care.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Explain the processes and infrastructure provided by HMS Sepsis to facilitate quality improvement and collaborations across Michigan hospitals;
• Recognize there are wide differences in sepsis practice across Michigan sites that result in variance in success rates for performance metrics;
• Restate the various interventions sites have taken to implement quality improvement work for management of patient with sepsis;
• Identify how various members of quality collaboratives work together to create mutually beneficial relationships. 

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.

Pat Posa RN, BSN, MSA, CCRN-K, FAAN, Quality and Patient Safety Program Manager, UH/CVC, Michigan Medicine

Hallie Prescott, MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Division of Pulmonary Critical Care, University of Michigan

Amy Milewski, MD, MBA, Vice President and Associate CMO, Clinical Partnerships, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Scott Flanders, MD, Chief Clinical Strategy Officer, Michigan Medicine

Description: 

This session is part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2025.

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.