September is Sepsis Awareness Month

Sepsis affects 1.7 million people and takes 350,000 adult lives in the U.S.?each year. Thankfully, research suggests there are quick actions that can be taken by hospital teams that can save lives. Many teaching hospitals and academic medical centers, like the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC), are working diligently to improve patient outcomes related to sepsis.

As September is annual Sepsis Awareness Month, let’s discuss why this infection can be so deadly and what healthcare organizations are doing to tackle it.

Impact of Sepsis: Sepsis is a serious medical condition in which the body’s response to an infection goes into overdrive, damaging its tissues and organs. The infection-fighting processes that each of us has, turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Think of it as a ‘wildfire’ in the body, where a normal body response to infection quickly spirals out of control, causing widespread destruction. For clinicians, this may manifest as a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Symptoms may look like shivering, feeling lightheaded, fast shallow breathing, or change in mental status, but experts say that symptoms are not always specific, and they can vary from person to person. Untreated sepsis may progress to septic shock, which is a result of a severe drop in blood pressure.

What causes it? Any type of infection can lead to sepsis, this includes bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The most common causes of sepsis include pneumonia, urinary infections, digestive infections, wounds or burns and bloodstream catheters. While anyone can be at risk of sepsis, the most at risk are those over 65 or infants, people with a lower immune response, or those living with chronic disease. As sepsis worsens, vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys don’t get as much oxygen in blood as they need. Sepsis may cause atypical blood clotting and the resultant small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues. Most people recover from mild sepsis, but mortality rates for septic shock run at about 30-40%.

How is it treated? Sepsis?is a?medical emergency and needs to be treated quickly and efficiently as soon as it has been identified. Treatment includes rapid administration of antibiotics and fluids. The risk of death from sepsis increases by an average of up to 7.6% with every hour that passes before treatment begins. At the University of Maryland Medical System nurses are joining others on the health care team to adjust sensitivity to the subtle signs of sepsis. Vigilance is key, it’s critical that we focus on early warning signs, even slight changes can signal trouble, and every minute counts. Rapid identification and treatment is critical to saving lives. Interestingly under the leadership of Dr. Jason Heavner, M.D. , Chief Medical Officer at UM BWMC,?we are now researching the use of Artificial Intelligence tools to predict patients who are discharged after sepsis and may be at higher risk of readmission due to their illness and co-morbidities.

Sepsis Awareness Month is observed every?September?to raise awareness about the silent threat of sepsis. The month-long campaign focuses on educating the public, healthcare professionals, and organizations about the prevention, signs, and symptoms of sepsis. Ways that you can help, consider donating to organizations that provide awareness and educational resources to healthcare providers, sepsis survivors and the loved ones of sepsis patients, or fundraise and honor those around you who may have been affected.

Reference: Sepsis Alliance - Sepsis Awareness Month | Sepsis Alliance

Sincerely,

?David G. Hunt, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC

Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer

UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

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