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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 5, 2019 03:13 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Christopher B. Quinn |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | "Sepsis Awareness Month" in PA |
| Please join me in co-sponsoring a resolution designating the month of September 2019 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. Although Sepsis kills 270,000 Americans each year and is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., it does not need to be life-threatening. Sepsis is preventable and treatable, by preventing infections, practicing good hygiene, knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting fast when suspected. Until a cure is found, early recognition and care are vital and the surest hope for survival and limiting disability for survivors. In the U.S. 1.7 million adults develop Sepsis each year, where it is both the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals and of hospital re-admissions. A staggering 19% of patients hospitalized with Sepsis need to be re-hospitalized within 30 days. With this data in mind, it is not surprising that Sepsis hospitalizations cost more than $27 billion each year. 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 and education. In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with support from the Hospital & Healthsystem of Pennsylvania (HAP), held the first Sepsis conference. The following year HAP took the lead on this annual conference to bring together healthcare leaders from across the Commonwealth, as well as a number of Sepsis experts. In 2019, HAP is again planning this year’s September conference entitled “Solving the Puzzle of Sepsis - Putting the Pieces Together in Pennsylvania.” The two-day conference will cover topics of current interest to hospitals working to decrease Sepsis mortality and Sepsis re-admissions. I hope you will join me in helping to raise awareness for this medical emergency and thank you for considering co-sponsoring this resolution. |
Introduced as HR506