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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 18, 2018 11:44 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Thomas H. Killion and Sen. Thomas J. McGarrigle |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | “Sepsis Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania (September) |
| Please join us in co-sponsoring a resolution designating the month of September 2018 as “Sepsis Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. Sepsis is defined as the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it is the body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection. In 2011, the national Sepsis Alliance officially designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month, which is now recognized internationally by Sepsis advocates; shining a spotlight on Sepsis by spreading the word around the globe. In devoting September as the official month to get involved and make a difference with Sepsis awareness, more organizations, healthcare systems, and individuals are able to make a concentrated effort on sharing information. In 2014, Sepsis had been named as the most expensive in-patient cost in American hospitals at nearly $24 billion each year. Forty percent of patients diagnosed with severe Sepsis do not survive. Up to fifty percent of survivors suffer from post-Sepsis syndrome. Until a cure for Sepsis is found, early detection is the surest hope for survival and limiting disability for survivors. In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with support from the Hospital & Healthsystem of Pennsylvania (HAP), held the first Sepsis conference. In 2017, HAP took the lead and brought together more than 200 healthcare leaders from across the Commonwealth as well as a number of Sepsis experts for successful conferences both years. Continuing that success, HAP is again taking the lead to plan this year’s conference for September 5, 2018. Titled Mission Possible: Early Sepsis Detection → Patient Dialogue → Successful Discharge, the conference will cover topics of current interest to hospitals working to decrease Sepsis mortality and Sepsis re-admissions. Subject matter experts will address topics ranging from pediatric Sepsis to patient expectations for life after surviving Sepsis. Sepsis is treatable, especially with early recognition and care. You may help by learning the signs and symptoms of Sepsis; and taking action in your community to spread the word. We hope you will join us in helping to raise awareness for this medical emergency. Thank you for considering co-sponsoring this resolution. |
Introduced as SR422