The healthcare community has made tremendous progress in preventing and treating infections. Yet sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death among older adults. Improving sepsis recognition is one of the most effective ways senior living communities can improve resident outcomes. While early detection has always been important, recent discussions have highlighted that recognizing sepsis quickly is often more difficult than many clinicians realize.
A recent MedPage Today article discusses the challenge of defining and diagnosing sepsis. Unlike a broken bone or a heart attack, sepsis does not have one simple test that confirms the diagnosis. Instead, clinicians must recognize a combination of subtle signs that may indicate the body’s overwhelming response to infection. In addition, symptoms can vary from resident to resident. As a result, clinical judgment becomes just as important as laboratory results.
For older adults, those signs are often even less obvious. For example, a resident may simply seem “off.” They may become confused, develop a change in mental status, refuse meals, become unusually tired, or experience a sudden decline in function. However, waiting for more dramatic symptoms can delay treatment and allow the condition to worsen.
Fortunately, the CDC has developed practical resources to help long-term care providers respond more consistently. The Sepsis Program Assessment Tool (SPAT) helps nursing homes evaluate their current sepsis practices and identify opportunities for improvement. In addition, the deployment packet and the nursing home deep dive provide practical guidance on leadership support, staff education, communication, resident monitoring, and performance improvement activities.
Perhaps the greatest takeaway from these resources is that sepsis is everyone’s responsibility. Often, direct care staff notice the first subtle changes in a resident’s condition. Next, nurses perform the clinical assessment. Then, providers determine the appropriate treatment plan. Ultimately, effective communication among everyone involved can make the difference between early intervention and a medical emergency.
If your community has not reviewed the CDC’s Sepsis Program Assessment Tool, now may be a good time. Even organizations with strong infection prevention programs may discover opportunities to improve how they identify, communicate, and respond to suspected sepsis. Therefore, strengthening sepsis recognition today may help save a resident’s life tomorrow.
Stay well and stay informed!
