September is Sepsis Awareness Month, Maury Regional Health Shares Warning Signs

September is Sepsis Awareness Month and September 13 is World Sepsis Day. These global events aim to raise awareness and save lives, and Maury Regional Health (MRH) is participating to spread awareness with a campaign to #StopSepsis in southern Middle Tennessee. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sepsis affects millions of people worldwide each year, and approximately one in five deaths globally were associated with it in 2020, calling for an opportunity for greater awareness.

"Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. As a physician working in critical care, I've seen firsthand how early recognition and swift action makes all the difference for patient outcomes," said Thomas Quinn, MD, a board-certified specialist in internal and critical care medicine on MRH's medical staff. "We're here to care for our patients should they become septic, but we want to also help our community learn about prevention and early detection."

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that originates when the body has an extreme response to an existing infection, which causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Some common infections, when left untreated, that may cause sepsis include minor infections, such as a small cut or a bug bite, to more serious conditions, such as lung infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), skin infection or an infection within the gastrointestinal tract. Sepsis can lead to septic shock, which is a significant drop in blood pressure that can lead to organ failure or death.

While all ages are susceptible to sepsis, infants, seniors and those with diseases or treatments that compromise the immune system are at greater risk.

Common symptoms to monitor for sepsis include:

Fever

Difficulty breathing

Low blood pressure

Fast heart rate or weak pulse

Confusion or mental decline

Sleepiness

Sweaty or clammy skin

Extreme pain or discomfort

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate emergency medical attention. Tell your physician or nurse about any cuts or infections and say, "I am concerned about sepsis."

The best way to avoid sepsis is by taking measures to prevent infection and seeking medical attention if you believe you may have an infection. Sepsis is treated with antibiotics and intravenous fluids. Early detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes.

Maury Regional Medical Center offers a state-of-the-art critical care floor to provide sophisticated medical care for patients who have experienced trauma, as well as those recovering from surgical procedures and critical illnesses. The physicians and nursing staff have advanced training in caring for critical patients.

Learn more about how to #StopSepsis at MauryRegional.com/Sepsis.