By Brittany Mullen, MLS (ASCP)CM
Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in U.S. hospitals and ranks among the most expensive conditions to treat. Despite its prevalence and severity, it continues to be misunderstood and misdiagnosed. This morning’s scientific session, titled “Sepsis Mythbusters: The What and Why of Sepsis,” will give ADLM 2025 attendees practical insights that will not only dispel outdated beliefs but arm healthcare professionals with the most current tools to combat sepsis effectively.
Robin Chamberland, PhD, ABMM, will provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and incidence of sepsis across various healthcare settings. She will emphasize the importance of early recognition, the changing landscape of sepsis diagnosis, and how early intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes. Understanding how often sepsis occurs and which patients are most at risk will help focus efforts on prevention and faster intervention. Chamberland will also explore the early signs that are often missed and the impact of those oversights on mortality and treatment costs.
Next, Chiagozie Pickens, MD, will delve into modern strategies for managing sepsis, with a particular focus on new diagnostic technologies. She will highlight how innovations are reshaping how sepsis is diagnosed. These emerging methods enable clinicians to detect the condition sooner and tailor treatments more effectively, especially in cases where conventional signs may not be immediately apparent. Pickens will also explore how healthcare coding and reporting practices influence perceived sepsis incidence and resource allocation.
Finally, Christopher Farnsworth, PhD, DABCC, FADLM, will evaluate the latest advancements in diagnostic tools and their applications in clinical workflows. He will review the performance of each of these new assays and describe how they can be integrated into hospital systems. From leukocyte biophysical properties to host gene expression, Farnsworth will showcase new FDA-cleared diagnostic assays that use diverse approaches.
A significant takeaway from the session will be the increasingly important role of laboratorians in sepsis care. As diagnostic technologies evolve, laboratory medicine professionals are becoming central to early identification and management strategies.
“We hope attendees leave with a clearer understanding of the clinical and diagnostic complexities of sepsis, particularly how emerging diagnostic technologies may help improve early detection and patient outcomes,” says Chamberland. “The session aims to debunk common myths about sepsis and highlight the importance of timely, evidence-based intervention.”
With the continued rise in sepsis-related deaths and its burden on the U.S healthcare system, this session could not be timelier. Despite recent efforts to automate detection, variability in patient presentation still creates significant challenges. FDA-cleared diagnostic technologies provide promising solutions, but healthcare professionals must fully understand their capabilities and limitations.
By tackling the myths and clarifying the science, this session will empower attendees with knowledge and strategies to make a measurable impact in their practice.
