7/5/18

Get Your Free Sepsis Educational Resources from CDC

By on 12:40 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is making it easier for healthcare organizations to provide their patients with valuable sepsis educational materials.

Organizations can now order the free "Get Ahead of Sepsis" print materials two ways:
  1. Online by visiting cdc.gov/pubs. Select "Sepsis" from the "Programs" dropdown menu and click "Search." 
  2. By phone by calling (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636). 
Types of materials available include the following:
  • fact sheets;
  • pocket guides;
  • posters; and
  • brochures.
CDC notes that these materials are designed help patients, families and healthcare professionals learn about ways to address sepsis, including:
  • knowing its signs and symptoms; 
  • being alert and acting fast if sepsis is suspected;
  • preventing infections and staying healthy; and 
  • starting a conversation about sepsis during doctor's appointments. 
CDC recommends organizations distribute the materials at patient appointments, community health fairs and conferences; in patient discharge packets; and when speaking with family members about sepsis.

Statistics show that more than 1.5 million people in the United States get sepsis every year, with about 250,000 Americans dying from sepsis every year. One in three patients who die in a hospital have sepsis.
 

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, is the founder and president of Infection Control Consulting Services LLC (ICCS). Phenelle has more than 30 years' experience providing customized comprehensive infection control and prevention services to healthcare facilities nationwide. Her services focus on assisting hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental office and oral surgery practices, doctor's offices, nursing homes and other organizations with implementing and maintaining an infection control program that: complies with The Joint Commission, AAAHC, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and other regulatory agencies; respond to situations of noncompliance; and improve the processes for reducing risk.