Sepsis: A public health challenge of enormous proportions, a top driver of health care costs, and a condition that kills more people each year than cancer. But when recognized and treated swiftly, sepsis can be stopped before it causes significant health damage.
The statistics are sobering: Approximately 42,000 Massachusetts residents are diagnosed with sepsis every year and an estimated 5,000-7,000 of them die from the condition. Sepsis is consistently among the top causes for 30-day hospital re-admissions in all regions of Massachusetts and is the third-leading cause of hospital inpatient deaths in the state. And yet, Massachusetts is only a middling performer on sepsis indicators, ranked 25th in mortality in 2017 and at the national average in providing timely care for patients with sepsis.
Providers and policy makers have come together as the Massachusetts Sepsis Coalition – under the umbrella of the Betsey Lehman Center for Patient Safety – to bring more resources to bear in terms of understanding, identifying, and treating sepsis. The Coalition’s initial task force assessed the current state of sepsis response in hospital emergency departments and just recently released their extensive report, with recommendations.
Because 80% of sepsis cases are thought to originate outside the hospital, the home care community is beginning to examine our own understanding of, and training around, sepsis identification. A year or so ago, the Home Care Association of New York State developed their “Stop Sepsis at Home” campaign and tool kit. The Home Care Alliance of MA presented this to our members on several occasions, including at last year’s annual Spring Conference and Trade show.
On May 14th, 2019, the Alliance will host – along with Healthcentric Advisors – a free Train the Trainer session on Sepsis Awareness in the home setting. All members are encouraged to send someone. Agencies who cannot attend can find sepsis resources below.
- Community-based Sepsis Initiative Overview (New England QIN-QIO)
- Sepsis Zone Tool (New England QIN-QIO). Also available in:
- Sepsis Awareness Brochure for staff, patients, Families, and Caregivers (New England QIN-QIO)
- Stop and Watch Tool (INTERACT)
- Sepsis Early Identification Pathway (New England QIN-QIO)
- SBAR for Sepsis (New England QIN-QIO)
- Sepsis Fact Sheet (Sepsis Alliance and CDC)
- NYS Adult Sepsis Screening Algorithm (Home Care Association of NYS)
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