World Sepsis Day is September 13

	Tyler Merkeley Interim Director of BARDA’s Division of Research Innovation and Ventures (DRIVe)

DRIVe is committed to making a difference to protect Americans against 21st Century health security threats. Sepsis is one of our most challenging problems. We’re leading an effort to fight sepsis through innovative solutions.

	Tim Buchman Senior Advisor–Solving Sepsis

Any infection can lead to sepsis. Patients need to understand the symptoms: high fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, changes in mental status, pale or patchy and irregular colors on the skin, low blood pressure, and a feeling like they might be dying. Early recognition and appropriate treatment is key to solving sepsis. Every hour a patient waits before receiving effective antibiotics reduces their survival by 8%.

	Steve Simpson Senior Advisor–Solving Sepsis Program

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Over 1.7 million Americans develop sepsis each year, resulting in nearly 270,000 deaths. Sepsis affects approximately 6% of hospitalized patients and is the most common cause of death in American hospitals. It is also the most expensive, with healthcare costs over 23 billion dollars a year.

Kim Sciarretta Acting Program Manager–Solving Sepsis

BARDA DRIVe acknowledges Sepsis Awareness Month - September 2018. DRIVe’s Solving Sepsis program is designed to reduce the incidence, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs associated with sepsis. Our goal is to develop new strategies that address sepsis awareness, diagnosis and treatment. We aim to establish a comprehensive sepsis data network, implement machine learning-based algorithms, and generate improved metrics to predict and prevent the onset of sepsis. We also aim to improve patient care through the development of novel and individualized treatment plans. DRIVe is partnering across government, industry, academia, and various other organizations to find the most transformative solutions to this urgent health theat.

DRIVe (Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures) was established by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Department of Health & Human Services - USA