Sepsis Alliance Launches It's About TIME, a National Initiative to Encourage Early Lifesaving Detection of Sepsis, a Medical Emergency that Takes a Life Every 2 Minutes

Sepsis is the body's overwhelming response to serious infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, amputations and death. In the United States, 1.7 million people are affected by sepsis and 270,000 people pass away from sepsis every year. However, as many as 80 percent of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment.

"Research and data consistently show that early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis is the surest hope to survive this very common and devastating condition," said Dr. Steven Q. Simpson, Sepsis Alliance Chief Medical Officer. "The goal of It's About TIME is to save lives by increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis. By reducing the time a person waits to seek treatment or be treated for sepsis, we can reduce the number of preventable deaths, which is the majority if treated early."

As many as 87 percent of sepsis cases start in the community, not in the hospital, as is widely believed. This makes it important for everyday people to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis so they can seek treatment immediately. To help everyday people recognize and remember the signs and symptoms of sepsis, Sepsis Alliance created the TIME acronym, which also serves as a reminder to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms are present. The TIME acronym stands for:

• Temperature - Higher or lower than normal
• Infection – May have signs and symptoms of an infection
• Mental decline – Confused, sleepy, difficult to rouse
• Extremely ill – "I feel like I might die," severe pain or discomfort

To help spread this message, Sepsis Alliance is partnering with Angelica Hale, a passionate young singer from Atlanta, Georgia, who captured America's hearts when she competed on the 12^th season of America's Got Talent. Before she sang her way to the final round of America's Got Talent, Angelica Hale survived sepsis when she was just four years old.

"I'm using my voice to spread awareness of sepsis, so everyone will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms and get treatment right away," said Angelica. "Remember when it comes to sepsis, It's about T.I.M.E."

The white paper, "It's About TIME: Recognizing the Signs of Sepsis" aims to drive awareness among the medical community of sepsis as a medical emergency and the key signs and symptoms to recognize through the easy-to-remember T.I.M.E. acronym.

Sepsis Alliance is encouraging everyone to take the time now to learn about sepsis at www.sepsis.org.

About Sepsis Alliance:
Sepsis Alliance is the largest sepsis advocacy organization in the U.S., working in all 50 states to save lives and reduce suffering from sepsis. Sepsis Alliance is a charitable organization run by a dedicated team that shares a strong commitment to battling sepsis. The organization was founded in 2007 by Carl Flatley, DDS, whose daughter Erin unnecessarily died of sepsis when she was 23 years old. Carl created the organization to raise sepsis awareness among both the general public and healthcare professionals. Sepsis awareness can and does save lives, yet only 58% of adults in the US have ever heard the word. Sepsis Alliance also gives a voice to the millions of people who have been touched by sepsis – to the survivors, and the friends and family members of those who have survived or who have died. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter at @SepsisAlliance.

CONTACT: Angelica Estrada, 619-232-0300, [email protected]

SOURCE Sepsis Alliance

Related Links

http://www.sepsis.org