Healthcare Professional Materials | Educational Materials | Sepsis | CDC

Healthcare Professional Materials | Educational Materials | Sepsis | CDC

Healthcare Professional Information

On This Page

• All Healthcare Professionals
• EMS Personnel
• Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
• Urgent Care and Emergency Departments
• Home Care and Long-Term Care
• Order Get Ahead of Sepsis materials

All Healthcare Professionals

Infections put your patients at risk for sepsis. Be alert to the signs and symptoms, and if you suspect sepsis, act fast.

Healthcare professionals:

• Know sepsis signs and symptoms.
• Identify and treat patients early.
• Act fast if you suspect sepsis.
• Know your facility’s existing guidance for diagnosing and managing sepsis.
• Prevent infections by following infection control practices (e.g. hand hygiene, catheter removal) and ensuring patients receive recommended vaccines.

Educate your patients and their families about:

• Preventing infections
• Keeping scrapes and wounds clean
• Managing chronic conditions
• Recognizing early signs and symptoms of worsening infection and sepsis and seeking immediate care if signs and symptoms are present

If you suspect sepsis:

• Immediately alert the doctor or nurse in charge if it is not you.
• Start antibiotics as soon as possible, in addition to other therapies appropriate for the patient.
• Check patient progress frequently. Reassess antibiotic therapy in 24 to 48 hours to stop or adjust therapy if needed. Be sure antibiotic type, dose and duration are correct.