Community SOS Campaign Aims to Reduce Sepsis Deaths in Ohio by 30 Percent

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --The Ohio Hospital Association launched a community partner campaign yesterday — OHA SOS — to increase early recognition of the Signs of Sepsis to achieve early intervention for the medical condition that affects more than 34,000 Ohioans annually, with more than 258,000 deaths across the U.S.

In 2015, 7,478 Ohioans died from sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's overwhelming response to infection begins to cause injury and damage to tissues and organs. Anyone with an infection is at risk.

OHA released an SOS video, an SOS web graphic and an SOS Factsheet to educate community caregivers, first responders and providers across the continuum of health care about the Sepsis Alliance's six signs of sepsis: 

• S – Shivering, fever, or very cold
• E – Extreme pain or general discomfort ("worst ever")
• P – Pale of discolored skin
• S – Sleepy, difficult to rouse, confused
• I – "I feel like I might die"
• S – Short of breath

More than 80% of sepsis cases develop before patients arrive at the hospital door, while the balance emerge after the patient has been hospitalized for another ailment, such as pneumonia. The OHA SOS campaign focuses on those who can speed the recognition of sepsis throughout the continuum of patient care.

Hospitals and community organizations can join the cause at ohiohospitals.org/SOS. LeadingAge Ohio participated in the launch event as the inaugural community partner.

"OHA is continuing a strong legacy of collaboration to improve health care in Ohio," said Mike Abrams, OHA president and CEO. "We are eager to work with community organizations to promote SOS – the Signs of Sepsis – to drive early detection and early intervention to improve the outcomes for tens of thousands of Ohioans."

In addition to the human cost, sepsis is the most expensive condition to treat in the entire U.S. health care system, accounting for $24 billion in annual costs, or 6.2 percent of all hospital costs. Sepsis kills more people in the U.S. each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer combined. Sepsis costs the Ohio health care system over $1 billion each year, with a single incidence of severe sepsis averaging more than $100,000.

OHA's in-hospital early recognition initiative with 91 member hospitals has shown a 9 percent reduction in sepsis deaths in just the first 10 months, representing 673 lives saved.

Resources:

• View the OHA launch event here
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Aug. 23 report emphasizing the importance of early recognition to confront sepsis.

About OHA

Established in 1915, OHA represents 220 hospitals and 13 health systems throughout Ohio. OHA is the nation's oldest state hospital association and is recognized nationally for its patient safety and health care quality initiatives and sustainability programs.