The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) urges caregivers and older adults in New York, particularly those with chronic health conditions and/or weakened or compromised immune systems, to learn to recognize the early warning signs of sepsis, to seek immediate treatment, and to learn how to prevent infections that can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a very serious illness for people of all ages, but it can be particularly devastating, even fatal, for older adults — especially now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Staying healthy during this pandemic is critical, particularly for older adults, who are at greater risk for COVID-19,” said NYSOFA Interim Director Greg Olsen. “Sepsis can arise quickly and can be fatal. Simple precautions, such as frequent handwashing and getting recommended vaccinations, can prevent the underlying illnesses that often lead to sepsis. If an infection sets in, it must be treated as quickly and effectively as possible.”
Sepsis is a progressive shutdown of the body’s organs and systems caused by systemic inflammation following an infection that enters the blood or soft tissue. Those who do not die often face life-altering consequences, such as limb amputation or organ dysfunction. Studies have shown that early detection combined with appropriate interventions can significantly improve survival chances.
Sepsis is a public health crisis. It is a condition that ultimately kills more people than cancer and occurs more commonly than a heart attack. In the United States, someone dies from sepsis every two minutes, and someone is hospitalized due to sepsis every 20 seconds. Approximately 50,000 people in New York are diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock each year; of these, 30% of adults and 9% of children die in the hospital from sepsis. It is the leading cause of hospital readmissions and the largest cost for preventable hospitalizations in New York. More than 80% of sepsis cases begin outside the hospital. Home care patients are particularly at risk for sepsis, as the condition can often go unnoticed until it becomes a life-threatening issue.
Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York became the first state in the nation to enact sepsis regulations. New York is also the first state to publish specific hospital sepsis data in public reports.
People aged 65 and older account for nearly 65% of sepsis cases in hospitals. Statistics indicate that elderly survivors of severe sepsis were three times more likely to experience mental decline, making it impossible for them to return to their previous living arrangements, often resulting in admission to a long-term healthcare facility. The risk of dying from severe sepsis or septic shock also increases with age.
Prevention and early recognition of sepsis warning signs are key.
The key to preventing sepsis is to prevent an infection from occurring in the first place. Proper and frequent handwashing reduces the risk of contracting an infection. Additionally, many illnesses can be prevented through regular vaccinations, such as flu or pneumonia vaccines. If an infection sets in, it should be taken seriously and treated immediately.
Sepsis mortality increases by 8% for every hour treatment is delayed. Up to 80% of sepsis deaths can be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Signs of sepsis in adults include:
• Change in body temperature, either fever (above 101.3 degrees F) or below normal temperature (below 95 degrees F)
• Rapid heart rate (above 90 beats per minute)
• Rapid breathing (above 20 breaths per minute)
• Shivering
• Confusion, which may be more common among the elderly
• Sepsis can progress to severe sepsis quickly, so getting help and treatment as soon as possible is vital
For more information, visit the New York State Department of Health or www.sepsis.org.
New York State Office for the Aging and Health in All Policies/Age-Friendly New York
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the 4.3 million older adults in the state to be as independent as possible for as long as possible, through advocacy, development, and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them.
New York is nationally recognized as the first age-friendly state in the nation. Using the state’s Prevention Agenda as a comprehensive framework, in 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched a Health in All Policies approach, in which public and private partners work together to positively impact population health, uniting healthcare, preventive health, and community design, along with addressing the social determinants of health, to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, young and old.
Stay connected — download the NYSOFA mobile app for iOS or Android; visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter and NYSAging on Instagram; or visit aging.ny.gov.