Pennsylvania Department of Health Hosts First-Ever Conference on Stopping Sepsis Infections at Medical Facilities

CAMP HILL, Pa., Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Health today brought together more than 200 healthcare leaders from across the commonwealth for the first-of-its-kind Stopping Sepsis: Saving Lives in Pennsylvania Conference at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg.

"Pennsylvania needs to implement new protocols focused on stopping sepsis in every hospital," said Secretary Murphy. "Sepsis is a critical health issue that can affect anyone. With the doctors and medical professionals gathered here today, we will work together to drastically reduce sepsis rates and save lives."

The Stopping Sepsis: Saving Lives in Pennsylvania Conference was not only the first-ever major sepsis event hosted by the state, it was also the largest single gathering of chief medical, nursing, and quality officers for hospitals in the history of the commonwealth, totaling over 200 attendees.

At the conference, experts discussed sepsis prevention strategies and provided recommendations for new statewide policies to drastically reduce sepsis infection rates.

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication that took the lives of more than 9,000 Pennsylvanians last year. It is triggered by an infection and can be acquired both in the community and in health care facilities. Anyone can develop sepsis, but it's most common and hazardous in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality lists sepsis as the most expensive condition treated in U.S. hospitals. Nationally, sepsis treatments cost more than $20 billion in 2011 and the cost is estimated to rise if improved policies are not implemented.

To learn more about how the department is working with community leaders to stop sepsis in Pennsylvania or to review causes and symptoms of the infection, please visit http://www.sepsis.health.pa.gov/. 

MEDIA CONTACT: April Hutcheson, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us