Lisa Hanlon, RN

My wife, who is a home care nurse, went to see a patient with metastatic breast cancer. (Sepsis and Cancer) When she entered the house she noted the patient to be pale with circumoral cyanosis. Her patient appeared alert and oriented and tachypneic (breathing rapidly). Further assessment of vital signs showed a BP of 90/50, heart rate of 160 and SpO2 (oxygen level) of 56%. Lisa immediately recognized the signs of septic shock and encouraged the patient to go to the ED. The patient refused. After discussion with the family and feeling that, due to hypoxia, the patient was not making sound decisions, 911 was called and the patient was taken to hospital. When my wife spoke with the family the next day, the patient had been admitted with bilateral pneumonia and multiple pulmonary emboli. She was intubated and in the ICU. (Sepsis and Pneumonia)

After having done research with Dr. Emanuel Rivers on EGDT (early goal-directed therapy) and having cared for multiple septic patients myself over 28 years as an ED nurse, my wife and I have discussed sepsis at length. She applied those lessons learned and along with sound clinical judgement, developed over 20+ years as a nurse, she advocated for her patient and got her to the care she needed.

Sepsis can develop anywhere any time. Be aware, watch for those signs and symptoms, trust your gut and get the patient to definitive care as soon as possible to save lives.

Source: Jeff Hanlon (Lisa's husband)