SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) can be an early sign of sepsis (the body’s life-threatening response to infection) and is critical to quickly identify. Catching these signs, doing cultures to detect possible bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and initiating appropriate treatment can not only potentially avoid hospitalization or rehospitalization, but can save the patient’s life.
Our ID specialists at SIS are well-versed in quickly activating evidence-based protocols at the earliest signs of sepsis, and with our in-services on sepsis, we can also train your hospital staff to become expert investigators in early sepsis signs and symptoms. SIRS can also be a noninfectious cause of fever and leukocytosis that doesn’t lead to sepsis.
Your patients with changes in mental or functional status should all be quickly evaluated for SIRS or bacteremia and its primary source. Sometimes the early sepsis signs and symptoms are only functional decline without other overt symptoms, and immediate action and ID consultation are critical.
Symptoms of SIRS Include Two or More of the Following:
- Fever
- Tachycardia (fast heartrate)
- Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
- White blood cell count over 12,000 or below 4,000
Symptoms of Sepsis:
- More rapid tachycardia or tachypnea
- Disorientation or confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Fever, chills, marked shivering, feeling very cold, or clammy/sweaty skin
- Significantly low blood pressure
Our in-service on SIRS and early signs of sepsis, and other topics and services in which we specialize, can improve the acumen of your clinical staff. Some of the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities we cover find our in-services as some of their most valuable benefits of engaging our ID services.
If you would like to learn more about how IDS specialists can help your facility with SIRS and sepsis, and prevent hospitalizations of these patients, request an appointment today online or call (833) 967-2464.
