Sepsis is the leading non-cardiac cause of death in ICU patients and ranks number ten in overall mortality according to the Center for Disease Control. Mortality increases dramatically as your patient progresses from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock. Current evidence suggests that early detection and evidence-based treatment strategies can dramatically decrease mortality and complications. By learning more about sepsis, you can positively impact your patient's mortality and morbidity through early detection and prompt intervention.

In "Sepsis, Sepsis Syndrome and Septic Shock: What Nurses Need to Know to Avoid Complications" you will learn:

• How to spot patients at risk for sepsis syndrome
• Early detection assessement strategies
• How and when to intervene to reduce complications

Have you ever cared for a post-operative patient who develops respiratory distess and hypotension? Or a patient with pancreatitis who suddenly crashes? These patients may have developed a systemic inflammatory response to their condition which can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular collapse and eventually multiple organ dysfunction. It is important to identify which patients are at risk for sepsis syndrome because these are the ones who may suffer decompensation and death.

This web-based seminar (webinar) was recorded live on May 8, 2007 and answered questions such as:

• What is the systemic inflammatory response?
• Who gets sepsis?
• How can you tell that your patient is at risk?
• And many more will be answered.

To learn more about what sepsis means to your patient care, how to implement "sepsis bundles" and what cutting-edge strategies are now available to identify and treat sepsis, just click the link below.