Admission for sepsis through the ED, when compared with direct admission to the hospital, appears to be associated with lower early and overall inpatient mortality. Results from a large national sample of hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of sepsis showed that overall sepsis inpatient mortality was 17.1% for ED admissions, compared with a 19.7% rate for direct admissions. Patients admitted through the ED:

Had a greater proportion of comorbid conditions.
Were more likely to have Medicaid or be uninsured.
Were more likely to be admitted to urban, large bed-size, or teaching hospitals.

Abstract: American Journal of Emergency Medicine, March 2012.