Developed in 2016, Code Sepsis enables specially trained paramedics to identify suspected sepsis, obtain blood cultures and begin antibiotics in the field.
North Richland Hills became the first fire department in the nation to carry and administer antibiotics for suspected sepsis patients. Early results showed significant promise, with sepsis deaths declining from approximately 50% to below 20%. The protocol has become a model for prehospital sepsis care in North Texas, demonstrating the impact hospitals and first responders can have when they work together to bring lifesaving care to patients sooner.
“Ten years ago, this was a new concept that challenged the traditional way sepsis care was delivered,” says Curtis H. Johnson, MD, medical director of emergency services at Medical City North Hills. “Our hospital and EMS partners believed that recognizing sepsis and beginning treatment before a patient arrived at the hospital could give them a better chance at recovery. Today, we're proud to celebrate a decade of that partnership.”
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency that can progress to a critical stage quickly. At least 1.7 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with sepsis each year, and at least 350,000 die or are discharged to hospice, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Globally, sepsis is associated with an estimated 48.9 million cases and 11 million deaths annually.
Sepsis Awareness Month serves as an important reminder to recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis and seek medical care immediately. Symptoms can include:
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Fever
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Shivering or feeling very cold
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Confusion or disorientation
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Shortness of breath
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Extreme pain or discomfort
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Clammy or sweaty skin
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High heart rate or weak pulse
As part of the HCA Healthcare system of care, Medical City North Hills also uses a
Sepsis Prediction and Optimization of Therapy (SPOT) tool for hospitalized patients. SPOT uses rules-based algorithms focused on patient vital signs, labs, nursing reports and other data to help identify sepsis approximately six hours earlier than traditional screening methods. The adoption of SPOT has significantly reduced the time from alert to clinical action for inpatients, which has been associated with improved sepsis outcomes and earlier interventions.
Learn more about emergency services at Medical City North Hills
here.
ABOUT MEDICAL CITY NORTH HILLS
Medical City North Hills is a 164-bed, acute care hospital located in North Richland Hills, Texas. With a medical team of more than 500 physicians, Medical City North Hills offers a broad range of services including a Level III Trauma Center, a full range of cardiovascular services, comprehensive orthopedic and spine programs, neurology, graduate medical education and an internal medicine residency clinic.