Figure 1:

Conceptual map of Sepsis-Related Hospital Characteristics

Conceptual map depicts three broad themes which then devolve into terminal branches that represent hospital characteristics and capabilities that relate to sepsis care delivery, potentially explain sepsis volume-outcome effects, or necessitate interhospital transfer. The directed arrows link a few related characteristics across broad themes. For example, ‘ICU Capability’ is linked by a directed arrow to ‘ICU Case Volume’ and ‘ICU Capacity’ as Clinical Expertise (or Practice Makes Perfect) constructs. Likewise, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities are linked to ‘Access to specialists’ as an organizational factor, e.g. hospitals that perform large numbers of diagnostic imaging procedures or surgical procedures are those that are more likely to have round-the-clock access to radiologists (for interpretation) or surgeons. Literature search and review performed by UO (first author), SB, and EL (see acknowledgement section). Conceptual mapping performed by UO.

ICU: Intensive Care Unit; ED: Emergency Department; QI: Quality Improvement.