Finding early signs of sepsis before hospital care

Identifying pre-sepsis opportunities for early, targeted intervention

NIH-funded research Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-11163303

This project uses electronic health records and AI to spot early warning signs of sepsis so people at risk might get treatment sooner.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11163303 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be part of work that looks at detailed health record data to find how infections start and progress before sepsis develops. The team uses advanced computer and machine-learning methods to create prediction tools that flag pre-sepsis risk. They will test these tools in different patient groups and run them in real-time within electronic health record systems to see how they perform. The program also studies added screening and diagnostic checks that could be used alongside the AI tools to guide early care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people receiving care in the participating health system who have infections or early signs that might put them at risk for developing sepsis, such as older adults or those with chronic illnesses.

Not a fit: People without infection-related symptoms, those treated entirely outside the participating health system, or those with conditions not captured by the EHR tools may not see direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians detect dangerous infections earlier and prevent some cases of sepsis, reducing deaths and hospital complications.

How similar studies have performed: Some AI-based sepsis prediction efforts have shown promise but results have been mixed and real-time, prospective validation in clinical settings remains limited.

Where this research is happening

Oakland, 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 2026-06-13 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.