Sepsis - 5688 Words

Running Head: Sepsis 1 Sepsis: A Clinical Case Study Example Conestoga College Running Head: Sepsis 2 Abstract Sepsis is an inflammatory systemic response to infection. The symptoms are produced by the host’s defense systems rather than by the invading pathogens (Schouten et al., 2008). Sepsis is a frequent cause of admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and it is one of the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients (Alberti et al., 2003). It is a public health concern and it continues to be a burden on the healthcare system (Ely, Kleinpell and Goyette, 2003). Despite advancing medical technology, the rate of patients in intensive care units diagnosed with sepsis is continually increasing. According to†¦show more content†¦An intricate link between inflammation and coagulation exists within the body (Neligan, 2006). When a pathogen is present in the bloodstream or when tissue injury occurs, an inflammatory response occurs. The response causes a stimulation of the immune system to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFÃŽ ±) (Neligan, 2006). These cytokines are the main catalysts of the inflammatory response and cause the release of several agents including, interleukin-8, histamine, kinins, serotonin, selectins, and neutrophils. When the above compounds are activated, local vasodilation occurs, cytotoxic chemicals are released and the invading pathogen is destroyed (Neligan, 2006). The inflammatory response can be excessive at times and causes local cell ular destruction (Neligan, 2006). In septic patients, damage to their own tissues occurs throughout the body in the vasculature and endothelium. The release of the proinflammatory cytokines, specifically IL-6, causes activation of the coagulation cascade (Neligan, 2006). Coagulation can be activated by either the intrinsic or extrinsic pathway following a particular tissue damaging event (Neligan, 2006). The intrinsic pathway is the slower of the two pathways and it requires that all factors are present within the blood for clotting to occur (Marieb Hoehn, 2007). However, when blood is exposed to a factorShow MoreRelatedCauses And Treatment Of Sepsis1573 Words   |  7 Pages‘Sepsis’, a lame man might hear of this word and have no clue or whatsoever of what this is – but in the real world it’s not something to be happy about and has been a major issue in the medical field. Sepsis is a complex condition which doesn’t have a specific definition, diagnosis or treatment but one thing the medical practitioners are specific of is the origin. Sepsis is from a Greek word called â€Å"Sepo† which means â€Å"decay† idiomatically known as â€Å"Blood poisoning† (Steen C., 2009). The medicalRead MoreSepsi s: Early Detection and Implementation of Sepsis Resuscitation Bundle1200 Words   |  5 Pages Sepsis: Early Detection and Implementation of Sepsis Resuscitation Bundle Introduction Sepsis is defined as the body’s inflammatory response to an infection and can quickly lead to multiple organ failure and death. Early, goal-directed therapy using the sepsis resuscitation bundle introduced in the â€Å"Surviving Sepsis Campaign† is the treatment used throughout the world for sepsis treatment (Winterbottom 2012, pp 247). There are approximately one million cases of sepsis in the UnitedRead MoreCauses And Consequences Of Sepsis1574 Words   |  7 PagesSepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning is a potentially life threatening complication that results from an infection. These infections, typically caused by bacteria cause chemicals to be released in to the bloodstream in order to fight the infection. 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According to a research team in the Netherlands 3.3 out of every 100 patients encountered by EMS in the United States have severe sepsis diagnoses, compared to only 2.3 per 100 for myocardial infarction and 2.2Read MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Sepsis2113 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication caused by the body’s response to an infection. Our immune system protects us against threats, which include viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Our immune system responds by triggering an inflammatory response to bacteria in the blood. However, with sepsis the response is massive and the inflammation that occurs can cause a ripple effect of changes that may lead to damage of multiple organ systems, causingRead MoreSigns And Symptoms Of Sepsis1020 Words   |  5 Pagesidentification of sepsis in emergency department patients could be the difference between life and death. An emergency department nurse should be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis, know the proper fluid bolus rate for resuscitation, and initiate intravenous antibiotics within an hour of the patient arriving to the emergency department. According to the sepsis alliance website, The word sepsis comes from the Greek me aning decay or to putrefy. In medical terms, sepsis is defined asRead MoreCoalition For Sepsis Survival Marketing Plan1728 Words   |  7 PagesCoalition for Sepsis Survival Marketing Plan The purpose of this paper is to provide a marketing plan for the Coalition for Sepsis Survival. Because this is a relatively new nonprofit organization, some of the market information and history is based upon another nonprofit organization, Sepsis Alliance, which shares similar, although much more limited, goals. Company Profile The Coalition for Sepsis Survival (C4SS) is a 501(c)(3) organization created to raise awareness among both the general publicRead MoreSepsis : A Systemic And Response Of The Immune System1244 Words   |  5 PagesSepsis Sepsis is a systemic over response of the immune system, due to an infection that the body tries to fight. This leads to reduced blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys and the heart, which often results in multiple organ failure with the possibility of death. Sepsis can develop into septic shock which is the point where the patient’s blood pressure drops to a dangerous level due to the presence of bacteria in the body. Patients diagnosed with sever sepsis have a 20-30% chance of death