Suspected sepsis in over 16s

This quality standard covers the recognition, diagnosis and early management of suspected sepsis in people over 16 who are not or have not recently been pregnant. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.  

Last reviewed: 19 November 2025

This quality standard is one of 3 quality standards that, together, update and replace the previous quality standard on sepsis (published September 2017). The statements in the different quality standards cover similar areas and the measures and supporting information make any exclusions clear.

Quality standards for sepsis in people under 16 and for people who are or have recently been pregnant will publish when paediatric and maternity early warning score tools are reviewed for the next update to the NICE guidelines in 2026.

For more information, see update information.

How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them

Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them.