Twin Ports Hospital Fights Deadly Sepsis

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Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

It happens when the body’s immune and circulatory systems are overwhelmed by the effects of an infection, which can result in vital organ failure and amputation.

Essentia Health St. Mary’s tells FOX 21 by implementing a new program to treat sepsis they hope to decrease the mortality rate, lessen the amount of patients transferred to their intensive care unit as well as reduce patients hospital stay and costs.

“Treated later rather than earlier, sepsis can lead to some devastating outcomes,” said Dr. Jeffrey Lyon with Essentia Health.

Essentia Health has developed a system wide sepsis program for early intervention and treatment.

Medical staff will use electronic medical records that have been configured to alert them with an alarm if a patient meets the criteria for sepsis.

“Intervention if done earlier works better,” said Lyon. “We’ve seen a substantial drop in the mortality rate treating severe infections by dealing with sepsis earlier rather than waiting for the cow to get out of the barn so to speak.”

Medical and nursing staff will also intervene earlier by doing things like infusing more IV fluids and administering the appropriate antibiotics quickly.

For a more coordinated effort Medicare will require the hospital to report how well they are treating and detecting sepsis.

A cold, cough and fever are some signs of sepsis.

Health experts advise getting checked out if you are taking antibiotics but getting worse instead of better.