Graduating from a nursing program and getting a job in a hospital is one of the most exciting days in the life of a nurse. However, there are real-life dangers that become a common part of the job. One of the most feared—and potentially most dangerous—is sepsis.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication of infections that occurs when chemicals in the bloodstream that are supposed to fight infection actually trigger inflammatory responses. If allowed to progress to septic shock, blood pressure drops and this could lead to death. Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death in hospitals, affecting one in every 23 patients and costing U.S. healthcare an estimated $17 billion each year.Although it may be surprising to some that sepsis is so common in a sterile environment, it’s a danger that nurses must be prepared to face. While no cure has been found, sepsis is treatable if addressed quickly.
Treating Sepsis
BioMerieux, a diagnostic company working to control sepsis, says if sepsis can be treated quickly, lives can be saved. The company’s solution for managing the threat of sepsis in hospitals involves a threefold program: early detection, rapid identification and comprehensive patient monitoring.For caregivers, like nurses, the early signs of sepsis are hard to spot, which is why rapid, accurate lab tests are a crucial part of their arsenal. Hospital nurses often are on the front lines of healthcare as they provide treatment to patients.
If you’re ready to start your nursing career, contact Fortis today.
