10/30/2026
We are excited to share new guidelines that aim to improve and standardize hospital practices for diagnosing, treating, preventing, and monitoring sepsis, a major cause of death in hospitals. Developed by UVA Health and leading national medical organizations, these guidelines address several key areas of care including diagnostic testing, antimicrobial management, infection prevention, performance measurement, and hospital infrastructure.
An important recommendation to those interested in the oral-systemic connection is a specific recommendation that highlights standardizing daily toothbrushing to help prevent sepsis and hospital-acquired pneumonia. The guidelines also highlight emerging technologies, such as next-generation diagnostics and AI-enhanced clinical decision support, that have great potential to further improve sepsis care.
These guidelines are a major advancement toward consistent and reliable high-quality sepsis care that recognizes the importance of oral health in promoting positive overall health outcomes.
Read and download the guidelines here: https://shorturl.at/T0Sa9