In 2002 the Surviving Sepsis Campaign was established by an international consortium of healthcare providers as a collaborative effort to reduce mortality from the life-threatening conditions of severe sepsis and septic shock. Resuscitation and treatment guidelines (“Early Goal-Directed Therapy – EGDT”) were developed based on existing literature. There is very little published data evaluating awareness of these guidelines and the capability to implement them in smaller, rural hospitals. This descriptive study was conducted to assess awareness and capability for implementation of EGDT in rural, Kansas hospitals. Methods: A survey tool was designed and mailed to the medical director of the emergency department (ED) in all 129 Kansas hospitals. Non-responders received a second survey, also by mail. Results: Only 25% of respondents were aware of EGDT. Awareness and implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign early goal-directed treatment recommendations is low while the capability of facilities to perform the individual components of these recommendations is high.