University Hospital first in Alabama to adopt new diagnostic tool for sepsis

By Lindsay Hughes
[email protected]

USA Health University Hospital is the first and only hospital in Alabama to implement a breakthrough blood test that helps emergency clinicians rapidly identify and treat sepsis and other acute infections with unprecedented accuracy.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to infection, affects more than 1.7 million people in the United States each year. Early detection and treatment are crucial.

The TriVerity Test System, developed by California-based Inflammatix, measures the body’s immune response to infection using a small blood sample. Within about 30 minutes, artificial intelligence algorithms analyze biomarkers to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and non-infectious inflammation, while also predicting illness severity in patients with suspected infection or sepsis. The rapid test enables physicians to make faster, more confident treatment decisions — improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics and hospital resources.

University Hospital played a pivotal role in validating the new test as one of 22 emergency departments in the United States and Europe to participate in the SEPSIS-SHIELD study. Across more than 1,200 patients, the study demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, confirming the test’s reliability in real-world clinical settings. Based on these findings, TriVerity received clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2025.

Study results were published in Nature Medicine, a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal, in a series of three manuscripts in September 2025. Edward A. Panacek, M.D., MPH, professor and chair of emergency medicine at USA Health, is co-author of the manuscript “Clinical validation of an AI-based blood testing device for diagnosis and prognosis of acute infection and sepsis.”

“This test is a gamechanger in the ER evaluation of potential sepsis patients,” Panacek said. “For the first time, we have a tool that can both improve patient care and reduce costs. Physicians can now use a simple blood test like TriVerity to identify which patients with sepsis need aggressive therapy and which might be harmed by it.”

The findings also suggest that drug companies can design smarter trials by targeting therapies to patients most likely to benefit, Panacek noted. “The results support a move away from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to sepsis care and toward the adoption of precision medical care in the ER and ICU, a shift that can save lives worldwide,” he said.

Josh Snow, MSHA, chief executive officer of University Hospital, said the hospital’s participation in the clinical study and early adoption of the TriVerity test underscore USA Health’s commitment to improving outcomes for patients and their families.

“Being the first hospital in Alabama to implement this groundbreaking diagnostic tool reflects our dedication to advancing patient care through innovation,” Snow said. “Early and accurate detection of sepsis saves lives, and this technology gives our clinicians the insight they need to act quickly and confidently.”

Kristen Noles, DNP, CNL, director of quality and performance improvement for USA Health, said the new technology reflects the health system’s ongoing efforts to combine innovation with compassionate care.

“Innovation means the most when it transforms how we care for people in their most vulnerable moments, with speed, accuracy and compassion,” Noles said. “This innovation not only transforms how quickly we can diagnose and treat sepsis but also helps us identify patients who can safely recover at home. By reducing unnecessary hospital stays, we create capacity to care for others in need — extending our mission of healing to even more patients and families."

Learn more about Inflammatix and the TriVerity Test System at inflammatix.com.