NASHVILLE – Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and even death. It affects at least 1.7 million adults in America each year, and it can happen to anyone as a response to any kind of infection. When sepsis occurs, the key to survival is early recognition and aggressive treatment.
As part of HCA Healthcare, TriStar Health hospitals utilize SPOT technology (sepsis prediction and optimization of therapy) to identify sepsis in its earliest stages and treat the infection before it becomes life-threatening. SPOT continuously monitors vital signs, lab results, nursing reports and other data that can inform treatment and recognizes critical data points in a patient’s electronic health record. SPOT can quickly alert care teams to important, often subtle changes in a patient’s condition so they can take action.
“Most importantly, this technology saves lives,” said Dr. Tama Van Decar, chief medical officer for TriStar Health. “The symptoms of sepsis can be similar to many other illnesses, which makes it challenging to diagnose in an early stage. The SPOT algorithm is designed to notice those subtle changes so our care teams can respond faster with potentially life-saving treatment.”
Sepsis can only be diagnosed by a medical professional, but as part of Sepsis Awareness Month, TriStar Health encourages everyone to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis. High heart rate, low blood pressure, fever, shivering, confusion and shortness of breath could all be signs of a sepsis infection. In addition, people with weakened immune systems, chronic medical conditions, recent severe illness or hospitalization and adults 65 and older are at an increased risk of sepsis.
TriStar Health has a network of emergency care across Middle Tennessee with 24/7 access to board-certified physicians who are available to address a wide variety of medical concerns, including sepsis. For more information, go to TriStarHealth.com.