Improving Sepsis Detection for ICU Patients

Sepsis Physiomarkers for Appropriate Risk Knowledge of monitored patients in the ICU (SPARK-ICU)

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11180187

This project aims to find new ways to predict sepsis earlier in critically ill patients in the ICU using continuous monitoring data.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11180187 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Critically ill patients in the ICU who develop sepsis face a much higher risk of death. Current methods for predicting sepsis often rely on electronic medical records, which can have delays and errors. This project looks for new "physiomarkers" from continuous monitoring devices, like those that track heart rate and blood pressure. By combining this real-time data with some information from medical records, we hope to create better prediction tools. These tools could help doctors identify patients at risk for sepsis sooner, allowing for quicker treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on critically ill adult patients aged 21 and older who are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or are not admitted to an Intensive Care Unit would not directly benefit from this specific prediction tool.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection and treatment of sepsis, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes for critically ill patients.

How similar studies have performed: While traditional machine learning has focused on electronic medical record data, this project explores novel "physiomarkers" from continuous physiological data streams, representing a new approach to sepsis prediction.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.