Width Ignorance about sepsis – sometimes also among doctors
Reinhardt complained about widespread ignorance on the subject among the population, but also among medical staff. It is a big problem when patients want to cure an uncomplicated Covid-19 disease at home and do not notice the disease transitioning into blood poisoning. Anyone who notices signs such as a sudden, extreme feeling of illness, fever, high pulse, confusion or chills “should under no circumstances wait and go to a hospital immediately or call an emergency doctor,” warned the expert.
The Dresden IST boss Thea Koch is also aware of the problem of the lack of awareness of sepsis. “It is often not immediately obvious to patients or the treating doctors that it is sepsis,” she explains. Symptoms include a strong feeling of illness, pain, clammy, bluish-spotted skin, rapid heartbeat, acute confusion, dizziness, change in personality, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, and low blood pressure. “We advocate and raise awareness for doctors and those affected to consider sepsis more quickly and pay attention to the symptoms. Younger people in particular sometimes underestimate the symptoms and believe that this will go away quickly. A misconception with sometimes serious consequences.” , warned IST boss Koch.
Sepsis sufferers regenerate better Rehab
Koch refers to timely treatment of sepsis. “The earlier therapy for sepsis begins, the better the prospects are for those affected,” she explains. The doctor also advocates a stay in a rehabilitation clinic. “Those who moved to a rehabilitation facility after their stay in the ICU experienced better regeneration, had better cognitive abilities and a higher quality of life,” she explained.
The “Comprehensive Sepsis Center” at the Dresden University Hospital has been working with the rehabilitation clinic in Kreischa for five years. The aim was to increase the survival rate and improve the quality of life of those affected, explained board member Albrecht. In addition, collected data would help to identify risk factors and improve processes. “After five years, we can proudly say that this collaboration is also paying off. The exchange between intensive care medicine, rehabilitation facilities and general practitioner care as well as the knowledge gained from this flow into our therapy decisions,” said Albrecht. “It is important that the suspected diagnosis of sepsis is investigated or that it is taken into account in the diagnosis.”
Interlinking between hospital and rehabilitation
Over the past five years, the sepsis center has integrated and coordinated the treatment of patients, explained Rudolf Presl, managing director of the Bavaria Kreischa Clinic. Those who survive a serious illness often have to spend a long time in a rehabilitation clinic learning the way back to a self-determined life. “Our focus – across disciplines and service sectors – is on the person affected by sepsis and their relatives,” explained Presl. “This approach increases the chances that more people affected will survive sepsis and their path back to active life will be successful,” adds Ulf Bodechtel, chief physician at the clinic in Kreischa. The work of the center will continue to be developed with scientific support. So far, the rehabilitation clinic and the Dresden University Hospital, as initiators, have borne the costs themselves. However, the aim is to include cooperative treatment in the hospital plan.