Sepsis contributes to one out of every two to three deaths in hospitals nationwide. The earlier it’s recognized, the better the chance of recovery. On World Sepsis Day in September, HUP’s Patient Safety teams and nursing coordinators spread the word that, when it comes to sepsis, early recognition is key.
Rounding on every unit – during both day and evening shifts – the teams provided sepsis education tools and easy ways to remember, for example, bringing along a small stuffed cow to remind staff to use "CALF" as the pneumonic for treating sepsis: cultures, antibiotics, lactic acid, and fluids. “I was overwhelmed by the staff response,” said Karen Flanigan, RN, of Dulles 6, who visited the units. “Staff asked some really excellent questions related to the diagnosis, the care and management of sepsis. I’ve even had questions emailed to me -- about things they had thought of after I had left.”
In addition, informational display tables on both HUP’s Mezzanine and in the Perelman Center educated patients and visitors on learning the signs of sepsis that could save a loved one’s life. So engaging were the displays that sepsis.org asked to feature them as part of their sepsis media highlights!
Know the signs of Sepsis!
Temperature: higher or lower than normal
Infection signs and symptoms
Mental decline
Extremely ill