Providence is spotlighting sepsis, a life-threatening condition, as part of our commitment to patient safety and health equity. Sepsis affects more than 1.7 million people in the U.S. annually and is the leading cause of death and hospital readmissions.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the body's response to infection harms its own tissues and organs, potentially leading to organ failure, long-term disability, or death. Every hour of delayed treatment increases the risk of death by 4 to 9%.
We urge everyone to:
- Learn the signs and symptoms. Recognize Sepsis Early—Think TIME:
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T - |
Temperature: Higher or lower than normal |
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I - |
Infection: Signs or symptoms may be present |
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M - |
Mental decline: Confused, sleepy, hard to wake |
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E - |
Extremely ill: Severe pain, discomfort, shortness of breath |
Please be reminded of where to find Sepsis Order Set in Epic.
- Share resources with patients and families utilizing Epic:
For those with access to Providence SharePoint sites, the Sepsis Order Set in Epic populates the "Education" tab with two Providence print materials in 11 languages:
- A brochure providing essential information about sepsis.
- A graphic novel designed to engage and educate patients in a creative format.
- QR codes at the bottom of the materials point to two Providence videos.
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- Timely Communication: Print and review with the patient or caregiver within 24–48 hours of admission.
3. Help reduce disparities in outcomes, especially for infants, older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and those from marginalized communities.
Fun Fact: Providence’s own Dr. Shelley Schoepflin Sanders worked with real sepsis survivors in Oregon to develop innovative patient education materials on sepsis as part of her Health Equity Fellowship project. These engaging resources, including graphic novels and videos, are crafted to help patients understand and prevent sepsis effectively.
