Sepsis is the body’s toxic, overactive response to an infection. It occurs when a person’s immune system kicks in to fight the infection, and then turns on itself. Researchers don’t fully understand why this happens, but those with a higher risk of sepsis include the elderly, the very young, people with chronic illnesses and those with a weakened immune system.1
Testing for Sepsis & Treating it Quickly
Brookings Health System looks for sepsis indicators in every patient who shows signs of infection – not just those who are most at risk. That’s because there are no consistent, specific symptoms of sepsis.
That’s why we use very specific criteria, called SIRS (Systematic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). SIRS indicators include a fever, an elevated heart and/or respiratory rate, and an increased white blood cell count. If the patient has two or more of these indicators, health professionals treat the symptoms immediately.
Treating sepsis early – usually with antibiotics and IV fluids – can prevent septic shock, which is usually indicated by a drop in blood pressure or a severe rise in lactic acid.
While antibiotics are being administered, the Brookings Health System nurses, laboratory and hospitalists work together to find the source of the infection, running labs in skin, blood, urine, chest, or anywhere an infection may be found. Cultures can take 48 to 72 hours to finalize, and often determine the continued course of treatment. That can include rehydration, type of antibiotics and more.
Every staff member who treats the patient is made aware of the treatments and the steps to take in sepsis intervention. Brookings Health System even employs an inpatient clinical coordinator who meets with doctors, nurses and the pharmacy to speed up the treatment process and answer questions staff members may have.
Continued Care
Once the septic patient stabilizes, he or she can transition to a regular room at Brookings Health System. Health care professionals help determine whether they need rehab therapy, home healthcare, a swing bed or any further treatment. Outpatient therapy is also offered to patients who require it.
The patient’s primary caregiver is also consulted and informed throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, and is often involved in determining treatment as well.