World Sepsis Day 2026
On 13 September 2026, ESICM joins the Global Sepsis Alliance and the global health community in marking World Sepsis Day under this year’s theme: “Invest in Sepsis — Save Lives.”
Sepsis remains one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare. Associated with 1 in 5 deaths worldwide, it affects millions of people every year — yet it continues to be under-recognised, under-prioritised, and underfunded. Behind every number is a patient, a family, and a community whose lives are changed forever.
As a society dedicated to advancing intensive care, ESICM stands on the front line of the fight against sepsis. From the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and the publication of the landmark 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) Guidelines to our educational programmes, research initiatives, and clinical training, ESICM is committed to ensuring that evidence-based sepsis care reaches clinicians everywhere — regardless of setting or resources.
But our commitment goes beyond the acute episode. Surviving sepsis is only the beginning. Post-intensive care syndrome, cognitive difficulties, physical disability, fatigue, and the profound impact on families and livelihoods are realities that too often remain invisible once patients leave the ICU. Investing in sepsis means investing in the full continuum of care — from prevention and early recognition to treatment, recovery, and long-term support.
This year, ESICM is proud to mark World Sepsis Day with a special podcast, “From Awareness to Action,” featuring ESICM President Jan De Waele in conversation with Krista Bracke, sepsis survivor and advocate behind the initiative Sepsis Stronger Together. Together, they discuss what survival really costs, where the gaps between evidence and practice remain, what the new 2026 SSC Guidelines mean for the bedside, and how the clinical and patient communities can work together to drive meaningful change — from education and workforce investment to European policy and national sepsis plans.
To support your learning and clinical practice, we have also curated a selection of key ESICM resources on sepsis:
🔹 Sepsis, Infection and Immunity (SIS) Section — ESICM’s dedicated section bringing together experts in sepsis, infection, and immunity to advance research, education, and clinical practice. Explore the section’s activities, resources, and how to get involved.
🔹 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) — The international initiative co-led by ESICM and SCCM, dedicated to reducing mortality from sepsis worldwide through evidence-based guidelines and implementation resources. Discover the latest 2026 SSC Guidelines and clinical tools.
🔹 AIRSPACE — ESICM’s bedside web app supporting intensive care professionals in infection management and antimicrobial stewardship, drawing on the latest evidence and guidelines to improve patient outcomes.
Because investing in sepsis is not just a matter of funding — it is about investing in people. In prevention. In education. In earlier recognition. In better systems. And in listening to those who have lived through it.
ESICM calls on governments, healthcare systems, researchers, and the global intensive care community to make sepsis a priority — not just today, but every day.
Together, we can turn awareness into action and save lives.
🎧 Listen to the World Sepsis Day podcast:
PODCAST HERE
VIDEO HERE