Sepsis was identified as a disease process that would be seen across all adult intensive care specialties.  The mortality rate from severe sepsis remains high at 30 to 50 percent (Surviving Sepsis Campaign, 2011).  The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Simulation Program was implemented for the first time in 2007.  The purpose of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Simulation Program is to prepare nurses entering the adult intensive care unit environment to admit and care for critically ill patient with severe sepsis.  The simulation session is a capstone experience at the end of the 12-week A-CCIP. 

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, sepsis is defined as the 'body's response to an infection.  An infection is cause by microorganisms or "germs" (usually bacteria) invading the body, and can be limited to a particular body region (e.g., a tooth abscess) or can be widespread in the bloodstream (often called "septicemia").  Sepsis is a medical emergency just like a heart attack or a stroke because there is an interruption of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues including the vital organs such as the brain, intestines, liver, kidneys and lungs" (2011).