Requires hospitals to establish sepsis recognition and treatment protocols.

This bill requires all general and special hospitals in New Jersey to create and implement evidence-based protocols for early recognition and treatment of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The protocols must cover both adult and pediatric patients separately, include screening processes, treatment guidelines, infection source identification, and antibiotic administration timelines. Hospitals must train relevant staff, submit protocols to the Department of Health for approval within 120 days of the bill's effective date, and annually report data to track adherence and outcomes. These protocols aim to improve sepsis care, as the condition is a leading cause of death in New Jersey and can cause organ damage or death if not treated promptly.