OHRH is now certified in the care of sepsis!

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital has earned certification in treatment of sepsis, making it only the second hospital in Kentucky to achieve this goal.

OHRH is one of only 81 hospitals, out of more than 6,200 nationally, to earn this certification. The only other hospital in Kentucky to hold The Joint Commission’s sepsis certification is located in Lexington.

“Sepsis is recognized nationally as a dangerous condition and it takes quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment to make a difference,” said Owensboro Health President and CEO Greg Strahan. “The work being done at Owensboro Health to improve sepsis care is life-saving work and I am very proud of what our team members have accomplished to achieve this certification.”

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when an infection causes an overwhelming response. Without proper care, sepsis leads to organ failure and death.

According to Sepsis Alliance, less than 60% of people in the U.S. have ever heard the word sepsis. In contrast, 2017 data shows Kentucky ranks second in death rate for sepsis (Louisiana is ranked highest), and sepsis is ninth in leading causes of death in Kentucky. Across the country, sepsis ranks third on top causes of death after heart disease and cancer.

Some of the efforts at Owensboro Health to improve sepsis care and recognition include:

• System-wide education of all clinical and non-clinical staff
• Posters and flyers distributed prominently throughout the health system’s facilities to increase awareness
• Simulations to improve clinical staff recognition of sepsis signs and symptoms
• Collaboration and education with patients and their loved ones
• Public awareness in cooperation with local media outlets, including interviews on radio and TV programs
• Computer alerts in the patient’s medical record that are triggered when a patient has certain signs and symptoms that indicate they might have sepsis
• Implementation of fast-track processes for lab testing and treatment of sepsis
• Community education and awareness sessions, especially for vulnerable populations

Fast facts about sepsis

• Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency, as serious as a heart attack or stroke
• Sepsis isn’t well-known, though people might have heard other names for it, such as septicemia, septic shock and blood poisoning
• About half of sepsis survivors experience long-term or permanent effects, including decreased organ function, cognitive impairment, and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anyone can be at risk for sepsis, but it is more common in the elderly, very young, people with weakened immune systems or those with chronic health conditions

When it comes to sepsis, remember

IT'S ABOUT TIME.

Watch for:

• T: Temperature, higher or lower than normal
• I: Infections, may have signs or symptoms of infections
• M: Mental decline, confused, sleepy or difficult to rouse
• E: Extremely ill, "I feel like I might die," severe pain or discomfort

See the full infographic from Sepsis Alliance.

For more information about sepsis, visit the following resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cdc.gov/Sepsis

• Sepsis Alliance: Sepsis.org