[Update on current care guideline: sepsis (adults].

The incidence of severe sepsis and septic shock requiring intensive care in Finnish adult population has increased to 0.60 11000 /y. Despite improved prognosis, hospital mortality related to severe sepsis and septic shock is high 24.1%. Key recommendations include prompt administration of antimicrobial therapy, optimally after blood cultures, quantitative fluid resuscitation and imaging studies to identify possible source of infection. Crystalloids are suitable for fluid resuscitation. Norepinephrine is the first-choice vasopressor in septic shock. Hydrocortisone should be considered only if fluid and vasopressor treatment does not restore hemodynamics.