Sepsis

Back when I was a critical care nurse, I had the privilege of caring for a young mother who, like many "frequent flyers" in the hospital, was in and out for pain management. My healthcare colleagues will understand the weight that comes with knowing these patients—when they're in your care repeatedly, they become more than just a name on the chart. You learn their patterns, their quirks, and even their silences.

This young mother had become one of those familiar faces. It was my third consecutive night taking care of her, and by this point, I had come to know her well. She was often drowsy due to her pain medication, making it difficult to assess her mentation. But something felt different on this particular night. As I monitored her vitals, I noticed her heart rate was climbing and her breathing had become more rapid—subtle changes, but they stood out compared to the two previous nights I had cared for her.

My gut told me something was off. She hadn’t had recent labs drawn, so I got an order for a stat CBC and BMP. When the results came back, my suspicions were confirmed—her white blood cell count was elevated. It wasn’t long before she started to deteriorate rapidly. We had to act fast.

Thanks to our team’s vigilance and the swift activation of the sepsis protocol, we were able to intervene just in time. We may never know what might have happened if we hadn't acted when we did, but I do know that early detection made all the difference.

Sepsis is tricky. It doesn’t always present with flashing red lights, and more often than not, you’re navigating a sea of uncertainty. But in moments like these, you always err on the side of caution because lives are at stake. This story is a reminder to trust your instincts and to never overlook the subtle changes, even when everything else seems routine.

National Sepsis Awareness Month is celebrated in September to raise awareness of sepsis, a life-threatening condition. #nationalsepsisawarenessmonth #sepsis #healthcare #patientoutcomes #QI #patientsafety

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