CDC recommends an assessment by a healthcare professional if you have one or more of these signs or symptoms. Act fast! Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one has an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse, seek medical attention right away. Adventist Health Castle is committed to the best care possible for sepsis patients. This begins with early recognition of sepsis and quick treatment with diagnostic lab tests, IV antibiotics and IV fluids. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a best practice bundle for sepsis care. Castle’s performance on bundle compliance, at 90%, is well above the national (57%) and state (73%) averages. Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency care Adventist Health Castle’s Emergency Department (ED) is staffed by board-certified physicians and specialists 24 hours a day. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, a fast and accurate diagnosis is the key to determine what steps need to be taken for your best outcome. Our team is dedicated to providing efficient and compassionate care when you need it most. One key measurement we track is the time it takes for our patients to see an ED physician. The national average is 30 minutes, with the best ED wait time at 10 minutes. If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911. Sepsis care What is sepsis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening emergency. This happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Risk factors for sepsis are: • Age—being 65 years or older or younger than 1 year. • Having a weakened immune system. • Having chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease or cancer. • Having a recent severe illness or hospitalization. • Having had sepsis before. Signs and symptoms of sepsis are: • A fast heart rate or low blood pressure. • Fever or shivering and feeling very cold. • Confusion or disorientation. • Shortness of breath. • Extreme pain or discomfort. • Clammy or sweaty skin. 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Average time to see a physician in minutes Castle’s Average Top Performance National Average 30 25 20 15 10 5 13 13 12 11 11 Best-care practices 6 | WINDWARD HEALTH
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