It's Sepsis Awareness Month

September is Sepsis Awareness Month

In case you missed the Sepsis Awareness Month introduction, learn more and access state specific data:

- Colorado

- Illinois

- Iowa

- Oklahoma

Raise Awareness About Sepsis in Your Facility this Month!

Each week, Telligen will provide interventions, tips and resources to protect your residents.

As a part of Sepsis Awareness Month, we encourage you to participate in our storyboard poster challenge to showcase awareness activities. Based on each weekly topic including best practices to reduce sepsis, we challenge you to submit a photo of your poster* before Wednesday, September 25. All storyboard posters will be displayed on the Telligen website and winners will be recognized on our website and in Telligen QI Connect™ emails.

*Learn more about storyboard posters below under the Call to Action section.

UNDERSTANDING SEPSIS

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency!

Sepsis is a severe response to an infection that can become life-threatening if not recognized early. Protect your residents by ACTING FAST.
Sepsis can arise from any infection with most common infections occurring in the lungs, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system or skin.
Common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus species, as well as viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.

RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS

Symptoms such as fever, chills, high heart rate, extreme pain, confusion or disorientation can be vague and difficult to identify in the elderly. Advanced signs include difficulty breathing and clammy skin. Sepsis presentation varies from person to person; therefore, it is crucial to monitor baseline labs and report any deviations.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Prevent sepsis through a strong infection prevention and control program by:

Managing chronic conditions
Administering recommended vaccines
Practicing hand hygiene
Following infection control protocols
Keeping cuts and wounds clean until healed

INTERVENTIONS

Consult with the physician about ordering baseline labs: Upon admission.
Follow the sepsis prevention protocol: Implement for high-risk residents.
Complete comprehensive assessments: For residents showing infection signs.
Use tools like 100/100/100 Criteria for early detection: Learn more.
Temperature above 100?
Heart rate above 100?
Blood pressure below 100?
Have timely communication: Hold regular huddles and use INTERACT’s STOP and WATCH tool and SBAR. Register to use these free resources HERE.

CALL TO ACTION

1. Assess your facility’s sepsis protocols and staff readiness. If your facility does not have a sepsis protocol, work with your medical director to create a protocol and policies.

At your next morning meeting, discuss your sepsis protocol and ask:
How are your CNAs and nurses communicating early signs of infection or sepsis?
Are changes in condition documented timely?
Are these actions happening for every case or occurrence?
If there is a gap, what can you do? How can you sustain this?

2. Start today! Feature your team’s efforts for Sepsis Awareness Month activities by capturing the following on your storyboard:

Display facility sepsis protocol
Display communication tools (i.e., picture, screenshot)
Recognize staff who role model these

For more information on creating a storyboard poster click HERE.

3. Hear the story of a sepsis survivor and the impact the nursing home team had on saving her life during Nursing Home Quality Essentials this Thursday, September 5: Meet Rosie: A Sepsis Survivor. Register here.

RESOURCES

Next week’s focus is sepsis management. Contact us with questions!

This material was prepared by Telligen, the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 12SOW-QIN-09/03/24-5446