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Wednesday, April 11, 2018 12:00 PM

Proof Positive: Proper Sepsis Management Helps Reduce Readmissions

Written by Mark H. Johnson, MHA, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, Vice President, Sales and Marketing - iatricSystems

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Anyone involved in patient care knows how serious sepsis can be. It affects some 1.5 million patients a year and is the number one cause of 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions.
1,2 Far less apparent is the impact of Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock (SEP-1) performance measure compliance on preventing these costly and potentially life-threatening return visits. Less obvious, that is, until now.

Pivotal research

The results of a recent study by the Cleveland Clinic Health System found that SEP-1 bundle compliance was associated with lower odds of hospital readmission and that it may be an appropriate intervention to reduce readmissions

As a reminder, SEP-1 bundle compliance means that clinicians have done everything for the patient — specifically, commencing the right intervention at the right time as dictated in SEP-1 protocols.

The details of the Cleveland Clinic study were reported in a recent Contagion Live article that every concerned hospital executive should read. But the big-picture takeaway is this: diligent sepsis management, and investment in effective SEP-1 management tools, can have a significant impact on health outcomes.

Bottom line: 
SEP-1 bundle compliance works

As an oncology nurse, I’ve had the unfortunate (but eye-opening) experience of surviving a septic episode firsthand. Not surprisingly, I now work for an organization at the forefront of sepsis management innovation. This new research reinforces much of the feedback we routinely receive from our clients about the clinical effectiveness of automated sepsis management tools.

I strongly recommend you read this fascinating article. Then don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like additional information and insights on tools that can help your sepsis management and readmission reduction strategies.

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1 Mayr FB, Talisa VB, Balakumar V, Chang CH, Fine M, Yende S. Proportion and cost of unplanned 30-day readmissions after sepsis compared with other medical conditions. JAMA. 2017;317(5):530-531. Doe:10.1001/jama.2016.20468.

2 Sepsis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. cdc.gov/sepsis/datareports/indes.html. Updated August 25, 2017. Access March 26, 2018.