Sepsis criteria is important information to know as this serious medical condition can affect anyone, regardless of age or health status.
Sepsis shock occurs when the body’s response to an infection causes widespread inflammation, leading to tissue damage, organ failure and potentially death. According to the World Health Organization, for every 1,000 patients, 15 will develop sepsis. This condition is one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide, with almost half of the cases occurring in children.
Tory Byers, BSN, RN, NPD-BSMH, a nurse professional coordinator at Mercy Health — Springfield Regional Medical Center, shares what she knows about sepsis to help keep you and your family safe.
What are the causes of sepsis?
Sepsis can be caused by bacterial infections, viruses, parasites or fungi. When these pathogens enter the body, they can trigger an overwhelming immune response. This response can lead to widespread inflammation, which can cause blood clots and leaky blood vessels. As a result, blood flow is impaired, depriving organs of nutrients and oxygen, which can lead to organ failure.
Early recognition of patients with suspected sepsis is crucial for improving outcomes.
“I’ve worked in an emergency department for 18 years, there is nothing more important than early detection,” Tory shares. “Often, sepsis patients seek care after all other attempts have been made and show up in an advanced stage of illness. The advancement of infections or illness poses a higher risk of sepsis.”
The acronym “TIME” can help identify sepsis signs and symptoms.
- T is for temperature: Higher or lower than normal.
- I is for infection: May have signs or symptoms of infection.
- M is for mental decline: Confused, sleepy, difficult to rouse.
- E is for extremely ill: Severe pain, discomfort and shortness of breath.
To aid in early detection, Springfield Regional Medical Center has implemented special data systems that assist the care team in identifying early warning signs by providing key points documented by the provider. This information includes the patient’s age, vital signs and lab values. The system can provide a more than 50 percent more accurate diagnosis of sepsis compared to previous early warning techniques.
Who is at risk for sepsis?
Sepsis is non-discriminatory, meaning it can affect anyone.
However, certain groups are at higher risk, including:
- Immune-compromised individuals
- Older adults
- Children, including newborns
- Patients with advanced disease processes
- Pregnant or postpartum women
And like early recognition, early treatment of sepsis is critical to reducing mortality.
“Early treatment reduces mortality,” Tory notes. “Antimicrobial use as well as fluid resuscitation are critical to combating sepsis.”
Now that you know about sepsis criteria, you can be on the lookout for these alarming symptoms with yourself and loved ones.
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