Each year, an estimated 75,000 Canadians experience sepsis — a life-threatening illness triggered by the body’s response to an infection.
Once a patient becomes septic, they need immediate care to prevent tissue damage, organ failure and death, as each hour without treatment reduces the average survival rate by 7.6% (Journal of Thoracic Disease, 2020 12 (3): 1007-1021).
Technology supports care team in saving lives
With the ongoing rollout of the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) project across VCH, PHSA and PHC sites, the CST Cerner early warning and sepsis tools are a win for patient safety. These function to support medical staff and other providers in detecting and treating sepsis early.
“We are currently developing sepsis reports to help health organizations that use this tool, via CST Cerner, track progress by collecting key data. This will include information, such as: percentage of blood cultures collected prior to antibiotics administered, how often IV fluids are administered within three hours of a sepsis presentation, and more,” explains Christine Jerrett, Director, Clinical Informatics, CST.
Check out how it works
In honour of Sepsis Awareness Month and World Sepsis Day (September 13), CST has created an animated video that walks through how staff and other providers use the CST Cerner early warning and sepsis tools. Watch how it works:
Education on how to spot Sepsis is vital
While these tools help care teams to be proactive, it is still important for patients, families and care teams to recognize the visible warning signs of sepsis, including severe breathlessness, slurred speech and mottled or discoloured skin. Find out more by going to WorldSepsisDay.com.
