Advocating For Sepsis Identification and Treatment

Sepsis is the body’s severe and potentially fatal response to an overwhelming infection. When a disease spreads into the bloodstream, the body’s immune system reacts intensely to combat it. However, this powerful response can sometimes damage organs and cause blood clots, which may block blood flow to the extremities, leading to tissue death, necrosis, or gangrene. Gangrene often affects the fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Surgeons may need to remove the affected tissue to prevent the spread, and in severe cases, amputations may be necessary to save the patient’s life.

People with weak immune systems, diabetes, chronic illnesses, or severe injuries are at higher risk of developing sepsis. Those who have recently undergone surgery or
procedures causing tissue damage are also vulnerable. Recognizing these risk factors helps in early diagnosis and management, reducing the complications of sepsis.

What Symptoms Indicate a Sepsis Infection?

Sepsis symptoms are often nonspecific, making them easy to mistake for less serious
illnesses. Key symptoms include a high fever, muscle shaking, sweating, rapid heart
rate (tachycardia), and rapid breathing (tachypnea). Some people may also experience confusion or disorientation, feeling extremely unwell without knowing why. These symptoms are often dismissed as minor, not requiring immediate medical attention. Because sepsis symptoms resemble those of the flu or other common illnesses, early diagnosis is challenging.

Emergency room patients with sepsis are frequently discharged without a proper diagnosis due to the broad range of symptoms that can mimic various conditions.

Patients rarely report sepsis symptoms directly; instead, they describe flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, and weakness. This often leads to missed or delayed treatment as doctors may initially diagnose these symptoms as less serious conditions.

Diagnosing sepsis can be particularly challenging in elderly patients or those with
underlying health issues, as they may exhibit different signs. Emergency room patients with sepsis are frequently discharged without a proper diagnosis due to the broad range of symptoms that can mimic various conditions.

What is the Treatment For Sepsis?

Early recognition and aggressive intervention are crucial in managing sepsis. The initial treatment typically involves broad-spectrum antibiotics to combat various bacterial infections. Prompt antibiotic therapy buys time for more specific tests to determine the infection… Immediate treatment is essential to prevent the rapid progression of sepsis.

Delays in administering antibiotics and supportive care can worsen the condition,
increasing the risk of death. Treatment plans should be dynamic, incorporating lab
findings and changes in the patient's condition.

In addition to antibiotics, intravenous (IV) fluids are used to stabilize blood pressure and support affected organs. Treatment can be tailored to target the specific pathogen causing the sepsis. Timely, targeted treatment can halt and reverse the infection. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) support may be necessary for severely affected patients. ICU care involves strategies to improve respiratory function, maintain blood flow, and manage organ failure. Sepsis management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving various medical practitioners.

Delays in administering antibiotics and supportive care can worsen the condition,
increasing the risk of death.

Sepsis treatment may require follow-up care and physical therapy to address long-term effects. Survivors often need physical, mental, and emotional support. Comprehensive sepsis management and adequate follow-up care can significantly improve the quality of life for survivors.

How Should Patients Express Sepsis Concerns?

Due to the nonspecific nature of sepsis symptoms, patients should provide detailed
information about their conditions, including past infections, surgeries, and
hospitalizations. Clear communication helps healthcare providers consider sepsis as a possible diagnosis.

Patients should be proactive in describing their symptoms and requesting thorough
examinations. If initial responses from healthcare providers are dismissive, patients
should seek a second opinion or express their concerns more assertively to highlight
the possibility of sepsis.

Patients should be aware of their rights within the healthcare system. They can request additional tests or a second medical opinion and should not hesitate to assert these rights. Educating patients about sepsis and its symptoms empowers them to advocate effectively for their care.

Direct questions and requests for specific tests or specialist referrals can help prompt a sepsis diagnosis. Patients should not be afraid to ask for these measures if they feel their symptoms are being overlooked. This proactive approach can help prevent sepsis from going undetected.

Reasons For Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis

Sepsis diagnoses are difficult because the symptoms are vague and mimic those of
many other diseases. Sepsis can easily go unnoticed as its symptoms often resemble
those of the flu or a common cold. This diagnostic challenge is compounded by the fact that different patients present with different symptoms.

Inexperience among medical staff, particularly new employees, can lead to oversight of sepsis symptoms during rapid assessments in emergencies.

Poor communication between patients and physicians is a major factor in missed sepsis diagnoses. Patients may not recognize the severity of their symptoms or may struggle to convey their concerns effectively. Institutional biases and the tendency to downplay nonspecific symptoms also contribute to missed diagnoses.

Inexperience among medical staff, particularly new employees, can lead to oversight of sepsis symptoms during rapid assessments in emergencies. The high pressure and
busy environment of emergency rooms make it easy to overlook sepsis in its early
stages.

Organizational factors, such as standard operating procedures and large patient loads, also play a role. Rapid assessment and triage systems may prioritize acute signs, overlooking conditions like sepsis. Comprehensive assessments and effective
information sharing are essential to mitigate these risks.

How Independent Patient Advocates Can Help Prevent Sepsis Misdiagnosis

Communication breakdowns among medical team members, especially during shift
changes or handoffs, can lead to missed or delayed sepsis diagnoses. Delays in
reporting or acting on blood test results indicating sepsis can result in inadequate
treatment.

The role of an Independent Patient Advocate is to provide immediate guidance and
support for patients and loved ones struggling to manage a healthcare-related problem or medical crisis. These dedicated professionals are in private practice, working directly for patients and their loved ones without restrictions. They know how to step in and take charge by gathering information, identifying areas of concern, and recommending the best plan of action. Independent Patient Advocates use their knowledge of the health system to stand up for patients and represent their interests when friends and family just aren’t enough.

Independent Patient Advocates can alleviate mistakes and make sure patients and their loved ones have access and are heard. The right patient advocate can help coordinate medical care and make sure that everyone on the medical team is talking to each other.

The Need For Independent Patient Advocacy in a Complex Health System

Independent Patient Advocates are not employed by doctors, hospitals, or insurance
companies. They use their knowledge of the health system to stand up for patients and represent their interests when friends and family just aren’t enough. By opening lines of communication and helping coordinate medical care among specialists,

Independent Patient Advocates can act as a second set of ears and eyes, ensuring that patients and their loved ones have access to the best care and treatment possible. The complexity of the healthcare system further complicates sepsis diagnosis. Effective sepsis diagnosis often requires collaboration among various healthcare professionals. Any disruption in this communication can lead to delays in treatment, potentially resulting in severe health consequences, including brain damage, blindness,amputations, and death.

When care gets complex, medical professionals need to speak and coordinate with each other, and Independent Patient Advocates can ensure that they are actually communicating.