Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to an infection. 270,000 people die every year from Sepsis, yet 42% of Americans have not heard of Sepsis . And as many as 87% of sepsis cases start in the community, not the hospital
Remember: TIME
Identification and treatment of Sepsis saves lives!
T: Temperature
Temperature higher than 100.9° F or lower than 96.8° F?
I: Infection
Infection suspected?
M: Mental State
Mental state confused or sleepy?
E: Extremely Ill or Elevated HR/RR
- Severe pain or discomfort? (“I feel like I might die”)
- Heart rate higher than 90/minute and/or respiratory rate of higher than 20/minute?
Yes to 2 or more of these questions?
Call CODE SEPSIS
SEE POLICY E00-2 FOR THE SEPSIS PROTOCOL AND MORE INFORMATION FOR CLINICIANS.
What You Can Do to Prevent Sepsis
- Get vaccinated
- Care for open wounds
- Take antibiotics correctly
- Wash your hands
Wash Your Hands with Soap and Water
- Before eating or handling food
- After using the bathroom
- After blowing your nose or coughing
- After touching pets or other animals
- After being outside the home
More Resources
- What You Can Do to Help Prevent Sepsis: Information for Patients from the Sepsis Alliance
- Tips for Talking with Your Healthcare Team: Information for Patients from the Sepsis Alliance
- Englewood Hospital Sepsis Protocol (Link is accessible to physicians and employees only)