Study Objective: We identify factors associated with delayed emergency department (ED) antibiotics and determine feasibility of a 1-hour-from-triage antibiotic requirement in sepsis.
Methods: We studied all ED adult septic patients in accordance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock National Quality Measures in 2 consecutive 12-month intervals. During the second interval, a quality improvement intervention was conducted: a sepsis screening protocol plus case-specific feedback to clinicians.