Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality and prolonged hospital stays, requiring timely recognition and treatment to improve patient outcomes. The University of Texas Managing and Optimizing Sepsis Treatment (UT-MOST) initiative, supported by UT-HIP, is a system-wide effort designed to improve sepsis care through data-driven collaboration and clinical process improvement.
Under the leadership of UT-HIP Quality Collaborative, UT-MOST brings together stakeholders from across UT-affiliated hospitals to align on best practices, share data, and drive meaningful outcomes for patients. The initiative is currently focused on three strategic aims:
- AIM 1: Dashboard Creation and Process Improvement Leveraging both registry data and Vizient benchmarks to create actionable dashboards that highlight variation and guide local improvement efforts.
- AIM 2: Sepsis Registry Development Establishing a shared data infrastructure across all UT sites using a common data model to standardize definitions and support benchmarking.
- AIM 3: Time to Antibiotics Improving early identification and antibiotic administration for patients with septic shock presenting in the emergency department.
This work is being strengthened through a "Listening Tour" across UT institutions, allowing the UT-MOST team to connect directly with front-line providers, learn about site-specific challenges, and co-develop solutions.
As UT-MOST continues to grow, all UT institutions are encouraged to engage—whether through participation in working groups, contributing success stories, or helping shape future improvement priorities.
Together, we are building a sustainable, high-impact model for sepsis care improvement across Texas.
MD Anderson Highlights: Evidence in Action
During the latest UT-MOST session, MD Anderson shared impactful metrics and strategies showcasing their sepsis protocol:
Area | MD Anderson Data |
|---|---|
| Sepsis Committee Oversight | Established in 2024, meets monthly—100% of sepsis cases reviewed. |
| Electronic Screening | ED screening tools capture 95% of sepsis cases within 2 hours of triage. |
| Antibiotic Timing | Antibiotic administration within 60 minutes achieved in 89% of cases. |
| Fluid Resuscitation | 92% of patients received guideline-compliant 30 mL/kg fluid boluses within first hour. |
| Bundle Compliance | 85% adherence to sepsis bundle components (cultures, lactate, fluids, antibiotics). |
| Case Reviews | Monthly root cause analyses led to two major workflow improvements in 2024. |
These data points illustrate not only MD Anderson’s high standards but also the replicable strategies that can inform system-wide sepsis improvements.
As UT-MOST moves through its Listening Tour across UT hospitals, MD Anderson’s results provide a powerful benchmark—and a practical playbook—for success. All UT sites are encouraged to:
- Join Sepsis Working Groups
- Implement electronic ED Screening for early identification of sepsis
- Adopt Real-Time Monitoring Tools
- Engage in Regular Case Reviews
MD Anderson’s success—anchored by rapid screening, timely treatment, and rigorous review—demonstrates the impact of a disciplined, data-driven sepsis framework. As UT-MOST advances, we invite all UT hospitals to leverage these insights to help elevate sepsis care across Texas.
