Bill > S2884

This bill, known as the "Stop Sepsis Act," mandates that all licensed general and special hospitals in New Jersey must establish, implement, and regularly update evidence-based protocols for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body's overwhelming response to infection. These protocols must cover adult, geriatric, obstetric, and pediatric patients, and include specific processes for screening, identifying patients for treatment, excluding those not appropriate for the protocols (like those receiving palliative care), and guidelines for treatment, including identifying infection sources and administering antibiotics promptly. Hospitals are also required to train all clinical staff involved in sepsis recognition, treatment, or prevention, with updated training provided when protocols change, and the state Department of Health will offer educational opportunities. Furthermore, hospitals must collect and use quality measures to assess their adherence to these sepsis protocols, and the Commissioner of Health will compile and publish a report card annually on the internet detailing risk-adjusted quality measures related to sepsis, including data on surgical and non-surgical cases, length of stay, mortality rates, and patient discharge destinations. Importantly, the bill also prevents third-party payors and health plans from overriding a healthcare provider's clinical judgment regarding the diagnosis and treatment of suspected sepsis.