Sepsis: frontiers in supportive care, organisation and research

Because of its high incidence and clinical complexity, sepsis is a major challenge to clinicians and researchers and a global burden to healthcare systems and society. Despite recent progress, short- and long-term morbidity, mortality and costs remain high in both developed and developing countries. Thus, further improvements in supportive interventions and organisation of care are likely to have a substantial impact upon global health. In this narrative review, invited experts describe the challenges and progress to be made in sepsis research and care in the near future. We focus on supportive care (pulmonary, endocrine, renal, and nutritional support, mediator modulation and precision medicine), organisational themes (guidelines, outcome measures and stakeholder involvement) and clinical research as key areas to improving the care and outcomes of patients with sepsis.