WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stop Sepsis,
Save Lives Coalition applauds Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Brett Guthrie (R-TN) for introducing House
Resolution 1175 to support increased awareness of sepsis and
highlight the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate
intervention.
"By introducing this bipartisan resolution, Representatives
Matsui and Guthrie have taken a critical first step to drive
broader sepsis awareness and emphasize the urgent need to seek
treatment when there are signs and symptoms of sepsis," said
Thomas Heymann, President and
Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the
body's response to an infection. It occurs when chemicals released
into the bloodstream to fight an infection unleash an inflammatory
response throughout the body. This can trigger changes that damage
multiple organ systems, causing them to fail.
"Sepsis is perhaps the most serious and significant health care
challenge and unmet public health need facing our nation today,"
said Tommy Thompson, the four-term
Wisconsin governor and Secretary
of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush. "This deadly but treatable
condition kills almost 270,000 Americans each year – more than
breast cancer, prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS combined."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), there are at least 1.7 million sepsis cases in the U.S. each
year and one in three hospital deaths are linked to sepsis.
However, about two-thirds of sepsis cases are first diagnosed in
the emergency room, which means they are acquired outside the
hospital setting.
Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton know
the devastating toll of sepsis firsthand. Their 12-year-old son
Rory, who dreamed of being a pilot and was dedicated to helping
others, died of sepsis after cutting his arm during a fall in gym
class. In 2013, they established the Rory Staunton Foundation for
Sepsis Prevention, which works to facilitate the rapid diagnosis
and treatment of sepsis in hospitals through the implementation of
protocols and to educate the public about the condition.
"By improving awareness and rapid diagnosis of sepsis, we can
have a profound effect on the sepsis death toll," said Orlaith Staunton. "This is a solvable
crisis."
In addition to children like Rory
Staunton, elderly individuals are also highly vulnerable to
sepsis. "About two-thirds of all sepsis cases occur in people over
the age of 65," said Susan Peschin,
MHS, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research. "The key
to fighting this dangerous condition is recognizing it early and
treating it quickly."
Early diagnosis is critical to surviving sepsis. According to
Heymann, "mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for
every hour that treatment is delayed. As many as 80% of sepsis
deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment."
"We sincerely thank Representatives Matsui and Guthrie for
introducing this resolution to increase sepsis awareness and
promote early diagnosis and treatment," said Ciaran Staunton. "Although it is too late for
our beloved Rory, we want other families to be spared this horrific
tragedy."
About the Stop Sepsis, Save Lives Coalition
The Stop Sepsis, Save Lives Coalition was formed in summer 2018
to increase sepsis awareness and incentivize timely sepsis
diagnosis and treatment. Comprised of key patient advocacy
organizations and representatives from the diagnostics, device and
pharmaceutical industries, its members currently include the Rory
Staunton Foundation for Sepsis Prevention, Sepsis Alliance, the
Alliance for Aging Research, bioMérieux, Hill-Rom/Welch Allyn,
Merck, and the Antimicrobials Working Group.
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SOURCE Stop Sepsis, Save Lives Coalition