This bill mandates that all general and special hospitals in New Jersey establish and implement evidence-based protocols for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The protocols must be tailored for both adult and pediatric patients, incorporating specific guidelines for screening, treatment, and documentation. Hospitals are required to ensure that all relevant staff receive periodic training on these protocols and must submit their proposed protocols to the Department of Health for review within 120 days of the bill's effective date. Hospitals can revise their protocols as needed based on emerging evidence and must resubmit them for review at least once every two years, unless specific performance concerns arise.

Additionally, hospitals are responsible for collecting quality measures related to sepsis treatment to facilitate internal quality improvement and must report data to the Department of Health for the development of risk-adjusted mortality rates for sepsis cases. The bill emphasizes the importance of timely treatment and adherence to established protocols, as sepsis is a significant health concern in New Jersey, contributing to high mortality rates. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with promulgating necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act.