CHI - St. Joseph's Health - MN

What You Should Know About Sepsis When left untreated, a common infection has the potential to evolve into something far worse—sepsis. A serious medical issue that affects millions of Americans annually, sepsis is the body's powerful response to an infection and actually causes harm (deleterious effect). This occurs when a person has a systemic reaction to an infection anywhere in the body. Some common conditions that can lead to sepsis include lung, urinary tract, and skin infections, as well as infections due to surgical wounds, intravenous (IV) sites, and bedsores. In severe cases, sepsis can cause a person's blood pressure to drop so drastically that he or she experiences septic shock—a condition that can cause multiple organs to fail and may become fatal. The Sepsis Patient Profile While sepsis can happen to anyone, the people most at risk include those: Younger than age 1 Older than age 65 with weakened immune systems with other chronic conditions, such as diabetes "While those with chronic disease, the very old, or very young may be at increased risk for acquiring sepsis, healthy people can experience this systemic infection, too," says Chris Broeker, RN, CHI St. Joseph's Health, Director of Quality. "This is why understanding the warning signs of sepsis and seeking medical attention early can be potentially lifesaving." Spotting sepsis early is important but not always easy. Symptoms include fever, chills, rapid breathing, confusion, dizziness, rash, and difficulty urinating. If you have had surgery or an infection and begin experiencing these symptoms, see your primary care provider or go to the emergency department right away. "Diagnosing sepsis early can lead to improved outcomes for patients," Broeker says. The challenge with recognizing sepsis is that it shares symptoms with several other diseases and complications. Healthcare providers will conduct tests to look for infection that has spread to the blood. Laboratory tests can include blood tests, cultures of the blood, and cultures of other body fluids, such as urine, wound drainage, or mucus coughed up from the lungs. Once sepsis is diagnosed, treatment begins with the elimination of the source of the infection. If the sepsis is likely caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, antibiotics or antifungal medications are administered. Oxygen, IV fluids, medicines to support blood pressure, and possible breathing support with a mechanical ventilator may also be required. "Hospitals have started to approach sepsis like they would any code blue situation. Rapid response is important, and there are a lot of things we can do for a patient in the first three hours that can make a difference in improving the outcome." —CHRIS BROEKER, RN, CHI ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH, DIRECTOR OF QUALITY www.CHISJH.org | CHI St. Joseph's Health 3

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