ABSTRACT
Patients with severe sepsis often present to the emergency department, and have higher mortality rates than patients with myocardial infarction or stroke. Recent studies have fostered a better understanding of the physiology of sepsis and have validated methods for identifying and resuscitating patients with severe sepsis. Many of these therapies have impressive outcome benefits with early implementation. This article will review the epidemiology of severe sepsis, the germane physiology, and best-practice diagnostic and interventional strategies.