Rapid Blood Test Improves Sepsis Care at Froedtert Hospital

By Christopher Cheney

Adoption of the Cytovale IntelliSep test in the emergency department at Froedtert Hospital has improved mortality and length of stay for sepsis patients.

Sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection that can result in tissue damage and organ failure. Annually in the United States, there are at least 1.7 million adult hospitalizations for sepsis and at least 350,000 deaths from the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sepsis is a top concern for CMOs because the condition is a leading cause of death in the hospital setting.

Froedtert Hospital, which is part of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health system, adopted the IntelliSep test for emergency department patients in August 2024. Since adopting the test, the mortality rate for sepsis patients has decreased by 42% and hospital length of stay has been reduced by nearly two days for patients with a suspected infection.

The IntelliSep test uses artificial intelligence to look at white blood cells as they go through a membrane, according to Thomas Carver, MD, senior medical director of critical care services at Froedtert Hospital.

The IntelliSep test can be conducted in less than 10 minutes. Once the test is ordered, the time it takes to get results from the test at Froedtert Hospital ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, Carver says.

Prompt treatment of sepsis generates positive outcomes, and the IntelliSep test has become a helpful diagnostic tool at Froedtert Hospital, according to Carver.

“The IntelliSep test results are crucial in diagnosing sepsis because clinical information may not be conclusive, and we can miss sepsis cases when we only have a clinical exam,” Carver says. “An IntelliSep test can notify us that a patient has sepsis when we may not have suspected the high probability of sepsis. The IntelliSep test can also indicate the low probability of sepsis, which can avoid overtreatment of patients.”

In addition to a negative financial impact, overtreatment of patients has several other drawbacks such as allergies to the antibiotics used to treat sepsis, according to Carver.

“There is a huge nursing burden of overtreatment, including the drawing of blood for cultures and administering antibiotics,” Carver says. “You can have patients admitted to the hospital who do not need to be admitted, which can expose patients to hospital-acquired infections. The administration of the IV fluids that we use to treat sepsis can lead to complications.”

The most effective pathway is when a triage nurse orders the test before the patient is seen by an emergency department clinician, Carver explains.

“If a patient comes to the triage counter at our emergency department, and they have indications that they have sepsis, which for us are two signs of inflammation plus the potential for an infection, a triage nurse will order an IntelliSep test for the patient,” Carver says.

The other pathway is for an emergency department clinician to order the test when a clinical assessment raises concern that a patient may have sepsis.

CMO’s perspective

The IntelliSep test’s ability to improve identification of sepsis is crucial, according to Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Schroeder, MD, MS, CMO of Froedtert Hospital. Schroeder oversees all of the care provided at the hospital, including the emergency department and the ICU.

“Studies have shown us for years that early identification of sepsis allows for timely interventions, which improves outcomes,” Schroeder says. “So many of our patients present with unclear pictures, causing us to either under or overtreat, both of which have implications for patients’ well-being and hospital finances.”

“The ROI goes beyond dollars,” Schroeder says. “Yes, fewer ICU days and shorter hospital stays save money, but the bigger win is better patient outcomes. Tools that help us identify sepsis early improve survival, reduce complications, and support quality metrics that matter for reimbursement and reputation. It’s a clinical and operational win.”

Schroeder offered advice to other hospital CMOs on how to improve early detection of sepsis and sepsis treatment.

“First, know your hospital’s data, your patient outcomes, and the institution’s priorities,” Schroeder says. “Find out your hospital’s sepsis-related outcomes and then work with your teams to determine what they need to improve care, recognizing that this is a multidisciplinary effort.”

Several data points and outcome measures are pivotal in sepsis care, according to Schroeder.

“We watch time-to-antibiotics closely, along with lactate levels, hemodynamics, and organ function,” Schroeder says. “Outcomes like mortality, length of stay, and readmissions are key. At the health system level, priorities include meeting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sepsis measures, antimicrobial stewardship, and reducing variability in care, all of which impact quality scores and financial performance.”

A multidisciplinary approach to sepsis care is essential, Schroeder explains.

“Sepsis care isn’t owned by one specialty,” Schroeder says. “Emergency physicians, intensivists, infectious disease experts, pharmacists, nurses, and quality teams all play a role. When everyone works together, patients get timely antibiotics, appropriate fluids, and escalation when needed. That coordination reduces variability and improves outcomes across the board.”

Christopher Cheney is the CMO editor at HealthLeaders.