Diana Erickson

I am sharing these stories at the urging of my son-in-law, Dr. Jim O’Brien, a dedicated physician who is passionate about sepsis education. If these accounts serve to make people more aware of sepsis, how devastating and how prevalent it is, they will have accomplished their purpose. I am a registered nurse (retired) and frequently am called when family or friends are ill or facing medical questions.
Several months ago, a close friend called because he was very ill. He had gone to the emergency room with an incarcerated umbilical hernia, which had become red and swollen. The doctor tried, unsuccessfully, to reduce the hernia and sent him home with instructions to see a surgeon. Apparently his low-grade fever, malaise, and abdominal pain were overlooked while he was at the emergency, as well as by the surgeon he consulted two days later. My friend was given pre-operative instructions and a surgery date, and sent home. He was becoming progressively more ill.

By the time I saw him at his home, his temperature was 103 degrees. He was unable to eat, was flushed, lethargic, somewhat confused, had a rapid pulse rate, and was experiencing tremors and severe abdominal pain. My husband and I took him to a different hospital emergency and went with him through triage. I kept stressing my concern about infection and sepsis. He was eventually admitted and started on IV fluids and antibiotics. He was in the hospital for several weeks, so ill that he barely recalls much of his stay. The word “sepsis” was not used – only “severe infection.”

A few weeks ago another friend was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. He was doing well postoperatively, walking the halls, and joking with the nurses. He suddenly took a turn for the worse. He was flushed, tremulous (trembling, shaking), lethargic, and somewhat confused. His heart rate was 120, his blood pressure was rising, and he was developing a fever. The nurse who came into his room told us that “the doctors weren’t concerned that anything serious was going on” and that “he may have overdone it.” I convinced his wife to call his medical doctor immediately.

When the medical resident came in to examine him I asked about infection and told him we were “worried about sepsis.” I asked if he was going to order antibiotics “in case he is septic.” Fortunately, this was done and an infectious disease specialist was brought in. He was diagnosed with infections in his abdomen and in his central line. He eventually had another surgery and is now at home recovering, but it has been a two-month ordeal.

I was talking to a nurse colleague at a conference recently who shared a story about her elderly father who became suddenly ill and was taken to the emergency with respiratory distress (difficulty breathing). Fortunately, a very alert doctor diagnosed sepsis almost immediately and began IVs and antibiotics. He was admitted to the ICU where he was put on a ventilator and he remained in critical condition for several weeks. He did survive and is now in his 80s, living an active life. When he was admitted, the doctor had told his daughters that their father did have an infection and that he was not sure of the source. He told them the most emergent (urgent) issue was dealing with the sepsis.

I truly believe that the diagnosis of sepsis is often not made until too late. Most people, including many health professionals, need to be educated about this illness and how important early treatment is. The words Dr. Jim advised me to use -“I’m worried about sepsis” – seem to act as a cue to health professionals. I strongly agree with him that having an advocate especially when hospitalized is so important. I credit him for making me so aware of sepsis symptoms and for encouraging me to speak up and voice my concerns.