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Abstract
Sepsis is a common condition that is associated with unacceptably high mortality and,
for many of those who survive, long-term morbidity. Increased awareness of the condition
resulting from ongoing campaigns and the evidence arising from research in the past
10 years have increased understanding of this problem among clinicians and lay people,
and have led to improved outcomes. The World Health Assembly and WHO made sepsis a
global health priority in 2017 and have adopted a resolution to improve the prevention,
diagnosis, and management of sepsis. In 2016, a new definition of sepsis (Sepsis-3)
was developed. Sepsis is now defined as infection with organ dysfunction. This definition
codifies organ dysfunction using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Ongoing
research aims to improve definition of patient populations to allow for individualised
management strategies matched to a patient's molecular and biochemical profile. The
search continues for improved diagnostic techniques that can facilitate this aim,
and for a pharmacological agent that can improve outcomes by modifying the disease
process. While waiting for this goal to be achieved, improved basic care driven by
education and quality-improvement programmes offers the best hope of increasing favourable
outcomes.