Sepsis — Force Field Fact Sheet (Draft) · The Force for Health® Academy

What is Sepsis?Diagnosis

Sepsis is the body's life-threatening response to infection — when the immune cascade itself causes organ damage. 1.7 million Americans/year, ~270,000 deaths — more than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and HIV combined. Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time to recognition + antibiotic + fluid resuscitation is the deciding factor.

Recognize early — patient with infection + fever, chills, fast HR, fast RR, low BP, confusion, decreased urine, extreme illness needs immediate evaluation.
Higher risk — older adults, infants, immunocompromised, recent surgery, indwelling devices, chronic illness, pregnant/postpartum, splenectomy.
Hour-1 Bundle — lactate, blood cultures, broad antibiotics, 30 mL/kg crystalloid, vasopressors if persistent hypotension, source control.
Post-sepsis syndrome — physical, cognitive, psychological. Half of survivors have long-term effects.

Time = lives. Know the warning signs and act.Know your plan

Sepsis is one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. The TIME mnemonic: Temperature (high or low), Infection (known/suspected), Mental decline, Extremely ill.

T - Temperature higher or lower than normal.
I - Infection known or suspected.
M - Mental decline.
E - Extremely ill.
If any of these in someone with infection: call 911 / go to ED, tell them you are worried about sepsis.

Your daily Force FieldLive It

Vaccines current — every vaccinated infection is a sepsis risk averted.
Treat infections early; complete antibiotic courses.
Wound care; tetanus boosted q10 years.
Indwelling devices: daily care, prompt evaluation.
Higher-risk groups: keep emergency contact + medical alert.
Know TIME warning signs.
Post-sepsis recovery: PT/OT, cognitive rehab, mental health, cardiac/pulm/renal follow-up.
Caregiver awareness + emergency communication plan.
Tell every clinician about prior sepsis.
Survivor groups (Sepsis Alliance) for mental health.

Red flags — call nowAction

Call 911 immediately for: chest pain, pressure, tightness, or burning lasting more than a few minutes — especially if it spreads to the arm, jaw, neck, or back; severe shortness of breath at rest; sudden cold sweat with chest discomfort; nausea or lightheadedness with chest discomfort; sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, or facial droop (these are stroke signs, often related). Do not drive yourself.

Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable symptom worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or maintenance therapy; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, lipid follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.

Companion This infection assets

The full Prepared Patient program for This infection includes:

Engagement Screener 8-step Journey Disease Advocate Bingo Provider Hub Health Passport