Early warning and subtype detection for sepsis

Sepsis Early Prediction and Subphenotype Illumination Study (SEPSIS)

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11290398

Using hospital records, blood biomarkers, and machine learning, this project works to spot sepsis earlier and identify different sepsis types in hospitalized patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11290398 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be represented by detailed electronic health records, clinical trial data, and blood biomarker information that researchers combine with computer-learning tools to detect infection and organ dysfunction sooner. The team will build predictive models to flag patients likely to develop sepsis and to sort patients into biological subtypes that may respond differently to treatments. These models will be tested across multiple hospitals and linked to outcomes including survival and long-term problems such as cognitive decline. The effort aims to replace one-size-fits-all care with more personalized risk estimates and treatment approaches.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults hospitalized with suspected infection or early signs of organ dysfunction at participating centers would be the most suitable candidates.

Not a fit: People not hospitalized, those without infection, or patients treated outside participating hospitals may not directly benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help patients get treatment sooner, match therapies to specific sepsis types, and reduce deaths and lasting disabilities like cognitive decline.

How similar studies have performed: Other EHR-based sepsis prediction tools and biomarker studies have shown promise but mixed clinical impact, and combining multicenter EHR, trial, and biomarker data for subtyping is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.