Importance of uniform data collection and reporting in research: A call for a minimum dataset in sepsis

[Extract] In 2016, the definition of sepsis was revised. Sepsis‐3 defines sepsis as an increase of 2 points in the Sequential (Sepsis‐related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, which has replaced the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Furthermore, the qSOFA (range 0–3 points) was introduced as a bedside prompt to identify patients with suspected sepsis at risk of poorer outcomes. Both SIRS and qSOFA have imperfect test characteristics, with the former being more sensitive and the latter more specific for recognition and prognosis of sepsis. Macdonald et al . outline these historical developments and the concepts of sepsis definition and recognition in more detail in the first part of the sepsis mini‐series in this issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia