Each of the four Great Plains QIN states partnered with their Governor’s Offices to issue a proclamation recognizing September as Sepsis Awareness Month in each state.
“We are working throughout our four-state region to share information and resources on sepsis. Our goal is to educate and raise awareness of the signs of sepsis to avoid unnecessary harm and death. Sepsis kills more than 270,000 Americans per year. More must be done to spread awareness among community partners, emergency personnel, and healthcare workers. The support of the Governor’s offices lends to the credibility of sepsis and further emphasizes the importance of sepsis prevention and education. We wish to extend our appreciation to each of our states’ Governors offices and their staff to for their help in spreading this important message,” stated Krystal Hays, DNP, RN, RAC-CT; Great Plains QIN Regional Task Lead.
Pictured above is Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, as he officially proclaimed September as Sepsis Awareness Month in Kansas. Quality Improvement Consultant Kara Irey, Director of Quality Improvement Amanda Bridges, KFMC CEO Sarah Irsik-Good, and Communications Coordinator Sarah Elsen, attended the proclamation signing ceremony in Topeka, KS. Access the Kansas proclamation.
Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley presented a proclamation to recognize September as Sepsis Awareness Month in the state of Nebraska. Great Plains QIN team members and healthcare partners, Faith Regional Hospital and Nebraska Emergency Medical Services, gathered in support. [Pictured below]
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard both issued proclamations in September recognizing September 2018 as Sepsis Awareness Month in each of their respective states.
Access the North Dakota Proclamation
Access the South Dakota Proclamation
Great Plains QIN received special funding to work in one rural geographical location in each state to increase awareness and early recognition of sepsis. EMS professionals are critical partners as they can help prevent sepsis infection or death by knowing the risk factors, identifying the symptoms and initiating life-saving treatment. Our team is working to provide evidence-based tools, resources, training and subject matter experts to reach partners in these rural communities to help raise awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. We believe, through this concerted effort and partnerships, improvements can be made in early recognition and treatment of sepsis in the targeted communities to reduce progression from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock that may result in death.