Hospitals Taking a Stand Against Sepsis

    Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection causes widespread inflammation and it getting into your bloodstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis affects more than 1.5 million people in the United States every year, and it is responsible for more than 250,000 deaths annually. The key to surviving sepsis is early recognition and treatment, and hospitals are working to increase awareness about this condition.

    One way that hospitals are helping to raise awareness about sepsis is by implementing sepsis protocols. These protocols are guidelines that help healthcare providers recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis. The protocols are specific orders that should be followed, such as taking vital signs, collecting blood samples, and administering antibiotics, that should be followed when sepsis is suspected.Hospitals are also educating healthcare providers, patients, and their families about sepsis. They have developed educational materials, such as posters, brochures, and videos to provide the awareness they are trying to bring. 

    Some hospitals have electronic medical records systems that can help diagnose sepsis based on the charted patient information. When criteria is met that suggest sepsis may be present, it will alert providers to order the sepsis protocol as discussed above. These alerts can help ensure that sepsis is recognized and treated promptly.Finally, hospitals are working with other healthcare organizations to improve sepsis recognition and treatment. For example, some hospitals have partnered with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, a global initiative aimed at reducing sepsis-related deaths, to share best practices and develop new approaches to sepsis care.

  

  Hospitals are taking a variety of steps to help raise awareness about the importance of recognizing sepsis. By starting sepsis protocols, educating healthcare providers and patients, using technology, and collaborating with other healthcare organizations, hospitals are working to improve sepsis recognition and treatment, and ultimately save lives.