This episode is a re-broadcast of the first sepsis episode in February 2012.  I am republishing the part of that episode that deals with the definitions of sepsis.  I think the new sepsis guidelines rely too much on clinician judgment and gestalt in identifying septic patients so this will be helpful to learners.  To be clear- the term severe sepsis is not in use any more- we only have sepsis and septic shock.  However, learning this stepwise progression (even if patient's don't follow it) will help you better understand how to recognize sepsis in the ED.