Efforts to quantify the burden of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis have been limited by inconsistent definitions and underrecognition of viral sepsis. An original cohort investigation was conducted to track incidence of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis using electronic health record (EHR)-based algorithms. Data accessed from five Massachusetts hospitals between March 2020 and November 2022 suggests that the virus responsible for COVID-19 was a more common and life-threatening cause of sepsis than presumed bacterial-associated sepsis early in the pandemic. These findings highlight the high burden of SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis and demonstrate the utility of EHR-based algorithms to conduct surveillance for viral and bacterial sepsis.

Claire N. Shappell, MD, MPH, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Michael Klompas, MD, MPH, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Christina Chan, MPH, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

JAMA Network Open
September 29, 2023