Sepsis prevention is only possible by preventing infections with good and consistent hygiene and avoiding people with infections. Other infections can be prevented through the use of vaccinations.
The nurse should administer prescribed IV fluids and medications including antibiotic agents and vasoactive medications. Monitor blood levels. The nurse must monitor antibiotic toxicity, BUN, creatinine, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet levels, and coagulation studies. Assess physiologic status.
Proper use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, gowns), aseptic technique, hand hygiene, and environmental infection control measures are primary methods to protect the patient from transmission of microorganisms from another patient and from the health care worker.
Most sepsis is caused by bacterial infections, but it can also be caused by viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza; fungal infections; or noninfectious insults, such as traumatic injury.
Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza, or fungal infections.
For most patients with sepsis without shock, we recommend empiric broad spectrum therapy with one or more antimicrobials to cover all likely pathogens. Coverage should be directed against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and, if indicated, against fungi (eg, Candida) and rarely viruses (eg, influenza).
Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you are a patient, don't be afraid to remind friends, family and health care providers to wash their hands before getting close to you.
Get Ahead of Sepsis
Get recommended vaccines. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands. Keep cuts clean and covered until healed.
However, most underlying causes of death were associated with severe chronic comorbidities. One in 8 sepsis-associated deaths was potentially preventable through better hospital-based care, but only 1 in 25 sepsis-associated deaths was judged definitely or moderately preventable.
Sepsis is treatable if it's identified and treated quickly. In most cases it leads to full recovery with no lasting problems.
People with weakened immune systems. People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease. People with recent severe illness or hospitalization, including due to severe COVID-19.
Those at the highest risk of developing sepsis include the very young and the very old (infants and seniors), as well as people with chronic or serious illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer, and those who have an impaired immune system. People who are malnourished can also contract infections more easily.
The condition can arise suddenly and progress quickly, and it's often hard to recognize. Sepsis was once commonly known as “blood poisoning.” It was almost always deadly. Today, even with early treatment, sepsis kills about 1 in 5 affected people.
Stage one: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
Sepsis can be hard to identify, but is typically denoted by a very high or low body temperature, high heart rate, high respiratory rate, high or low white blood cell count and a known or suspected infection.
When treatment or medical intervention is missing, sepsis is a leading cause of death, more significant than breast cancer, lung cancer, or heart attack. Research shows that the condition can kill an affected person in as little as 12 hours.
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours. 1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
Peripheral blood cultures are useful for investigating the infectious etiology of sepsis and for managing appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Other tests, including CBC and chemistries, provide a baseline to assess therapeutic response.
Complete blood count represents instead a precious test that provides a wealth of information on individual health status. It can guide clinicians to early-identify patients at high risk of developing sepsis and to predict adverse outcomes.
Sepsis needs treatment in hospital straight away because it can get worse quickly. You should get antibiotics within 1 hour of arriving at hospital. If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause your organs to fail.