Sepsis and Government Policies: Are We Doing Enough?
Recent surveys have shown a knowledge gap between the public and medical professionals concerning sepsis. While they may know the definition of sepsis, their knowledge about its causes is limited, sometimes nonexistent. A recent survey found that 2 out of 5 individuals, particularly outside the medical field, have limited knowledge about hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Hospital-acquired infections can progress to sepsis, especially in individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, the immunocompromised, very young children and the elderly.1 Hospital-acquired sepsis is particularly concerning because it is often associated with a high mortality rate.
Antimicrobial resistance is also a major challenge in sepsis treatment as it complicates the ability to treat infections. However, it remains a topic that the public seems less concerned with despite its implications for global health. A striking 62% of those in the medical sector indicate that the topic of AMR isn’t regularly discussed, even within healthcare settings. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when a patient is unnecessarily prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics for a suspected blood stream infection, like sepsis. However, blood cultures, the diagnostic test used to help confirm and identify the potential cause of the infection as well as optimize treatment, is notoriously inaccurate. Nearly half of positive blood culture results are false-positive due to contamination in a typical hospital.2,3 These patients receive care they do not need and could be put at risk in the future when antibiotics are needed but prove to be ineffective. The lack of communication surrounding AMR is more than just a communication gap; it’s a potential barrier to prompt, effective sepsis interventions.
What about our government’s role? In July, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on the topic of antimicrobial resistance, with key stakeholders discussing what should be done to combat this “silent pandemic.” And in late August, the CDC released new guidelines for hospitals to combat sepsis. Despite these actions by government bodies, when survey respondents were asked to rate the government’s efforts in healthcare, 46% expressed dissatisfaction. With such feedback in hand, it’s evident that there’s room for improvement, especially in policies targeting sepsis diagnosis, prevention, and care.
We need more education about sepsis. We need more education about antimicrobial-resistance. We need more education on HAI’s. Whether you’re on the front lines of patient care or a concerned member of society, it’s time to unite in the call for actionable policies and heightened awareness, ensuring that every individual impacted by sepsis receives timely and accurate diagnostic test results to better inform their care.
- Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs). 2023. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/healthcare-acquired-infections/.
- CLSI. Principles and Procedures for Blood Cultures; Approved Guidelines. CLSI document M47-A. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2007.
- Zwang O, Albert RK. Analysis of strategies to improve cost effectiveness of blood cultures. J Hosp Med. 2006;1(5):272-6. doi:10.1002/jhm.115.