Sepsis is a medical emergency that can start with a common infection. A simple case of pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or even an infected cut can sometimes spiral into something life-threatening, and it can happen faster than most people expect. Because sepsis looks different from one person to the next, it is easy to miss.
Here, we turn to the expertise of Dr. Garrett Luettgen, emergency medicine physician at Pullman Regional Hospital, and Stephanie Knewbow, Emergency and Clinical Support Services Director. The two discuss in detail what sepsis is, warning signs to look for, and when to get help.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection, causing severe, widespread inflammation. It can lead to organ dysfunction and instability in the circulatory system. “Any organ can be involved,” explains Dr. Luettgen, including the brain, liver, kidneys, and heart. “That means that sepsis can look very different depending on who the person is that is getting sick.”
Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, and skin infections are common starting points. Most are bacterial, but viral and fungal infections can trigger sepsis as well. In its most severe form, called septic shock, the body can no longer maintain healthy circulation.
Warning Signs: Think “TIME”
“Sepsis can progress quickly, and that’s why early recognition is so important,” cautions Knewbow. She shares a helpful acronym, TIME:
T is for temperature, such as a high fever or shivering
I is for infection, such as a cough or painful urination
M is for mental decline, such as confusion or sleepiness
E is for extremely ill, meaning severe pain or feeling that something is very wrong
If any of these symptoms appear, it’s crucial to have them checked out as soon as possible.
Who Is at Risk for Sepsis?
Some people should seek care sooner rather than later. This includes adults over age 65, infants and children, and people with weakened immune systems. People with chronic conditions like diabetes or lung disease are also at higher risk, as are those recovering from surgery or with open wounds or burns.
“If you think you have an infection, it’s always advisable to try to get that looked at early before it becomes serious,” urges Dr. Luettgen.
Sepsis Concerns: Call 911 or Get Yourself to the ER?
Anyone who is concerned about the possibility of sepsis has a couple of choices: call 911 or somehow get yourself to the emergency room. Per Luettgen and Knewbow, it depends on the situation. Call 911 if someone is hard to wake, acutely confused, or having significant trouble breathing. If the person can walk and you can safely get them in yourself, you can drive them to the emergency department.
“If you’re concerned that they’re truly having an emergency, 911 is always the right response,” advises Dr. Luettgen.
How Pullman Regional Responds to Sepsis Concerns
Patients do not arrive with a label saying “sepsis,” so the hospital focuses on a consistent process for spotting it. “Our goal is to make sure our team has a consistent process for recognizing when an infection may be causing someone to become seriously ill,” shares Knewbow.
Nurses are often the first to notice a change. Providers then evaluate the patient and decide on treatment, with help from the lab, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy. “Sepsis takes the whole team at the hospital,” offers Knewbow. Dr. Luettgen agrees. “Emergency medicine and sepsis are very much a team sport,” he adds.
When It Comes to Sepsis, Prevention Matters Most
Sepsis care has improved a great deal over the past 30 years. Even so, Dr. Luettgen stresses that “prevention still outweighs treatment.” His advice:
Keep chronic medical conditions well managed
Stay current on vaccines, especially the pneumococcal and flu vaccines
Keep wounds covered until they heal
Get infections treated early
None of these steps are complicated, but together they offer real protection. And, if something feels wrong, trust that instinct. Getting evaluated early, before an infection becomes serious, can make all the difference.
For more information on Pullman Regional's emergency services, visit the hospital's Emergency Services webpage.