This document provides guidelines for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock updated from 2008. A consensus committee of 68 international experts from 30 organizations used the GRADE system to assess evidence quality and determine recommendation strength. Key recommendations include early quantitative resuscitation, blood cultures before antibiotics, prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics, infection source control, initial fluid resuscitation with crystalloids, vasopressor use, glucose control, sedation protocols, stress ulcer and thrombosis prophylaxis, and addressing goals of care. Strong agreement existed among experts regarding many level 1 recommendations to improve patient outcomes.