Take the Sepsis Awareness Challenge by coming to a campus event and learning more about sepsis prevention for a chance to win prizes:

• Kettering Health Dayton: September 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kettering Health Greene Memorial: September 26, 2-4 p.m.
• Kettering Health Hamilton: September 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kettering Health Main Campus: September 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kettering Health Miamisburg: September 29, 2-4 p.m.
• Soin Medical Center: September 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kettering Health Troy: September 28, 2-4 p.m.
• Kettering Health Washington Township: September 27, 2-4 p.m.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s dysregulated and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Some people are at higher risk of developing sepsis because they are at higher risk of contracting an infection.

Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock.

• Sepsis is the number 1 leading cause of death in hospitals and the leading cause of hospital readmissions.
• For every hour treatment is delayed, the risk of death increases by as much as 8%.
• As many as 87% of sepsis cases start in the community, not in the hospital.

Sepsis can be prevented by preventing infections and can be treated successfully in most cases with early recognition and treatment using existing protocols. Remember: When it comes to sepsis, it’s about time.

Prevention

Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection: bacterial, viral, fungal, or even parasitic. Sepsis prevention is only possible by preventing infections with good and consistent hygiene and avoiding people with infections. Other infections can be prevented through vaccinations.

Not all infections can be prevented and, as a result, not all cases of sepsis can be prevented. However, by following these basic rules, you can decrease your risk of becoming ill and help protect your patients.

Treating infections

Bacterial infections

Bacteria can cause infections in many parts of the body, such as your kidneys or bladder, your lungs (pneumonia), or even a cut or bug bite on your arm. Antibiotics are medications that kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing.

Some antibiotics work against several types of bacteria, while others are for specific bacteria only. Partly because of overuse and misuse of these medications, some bacteria are becoming resistant to certain antibiotics. This makes it harder to treat infections.

Viral infections

Most viral infections run their course without treatment, but some viral infections may be treated with anti-viral medications.

Fungal and parasitic infections

Infections caused by fungi or parasites must be treated with specific medications that will eliminate the cause.

Healthcare-associated infection prevention

Caring for wounds

Any cut, scrape, or break in the skin–including surgical incisions–can allow bacteria to enter your body and could cause an infection. Infection prevention begins with ensuring that all wounds are kept clean, monitoring for signs of an infection, and following evidence-based guidelines and skills.

CLABSI prevention

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) result in thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in added costs to the US healthcare system–yet these infections are preventable. It is imperative that we use the evidence-based guidelines and best practices to prevent and help stop CLABSIs. Learn about maintenance and dressing changes for central venous catheters here.

CAUTI prevention

Urinary tract infections are the most common type of healthcare-associated infection. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital cost, and length of stay.

CAUTI can be prevented when recommended infection control measures, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices are followed. Learn how to safely remove a foley catheter here.

Handwashing

Washing our hands is a simple task that we all do every day, several times a day. However, for handwashing to be effective, it needs to be done properly and possibly more frequently than many people do already. Learn more here.

The key to preventing sepsis is recognizing an invasive infection before the cascading damage of sepsis has picked up too much speed. It’s important to follow our sepsis protocols, as they were designed to improve rapid identification and treatment of sepsis.