Introduction
The patient is a 67-year-old male admitted to the hospital from a nursing home due to septic shock from a urinary tract infection (UTI). He had a medical history of liver cirrhosis, ascites, and type 2 diabetes.
Discussion
According to Durning (2020), sepsis may strike any person, but older adults with chronic illnesses are at high risk. This patient is in a risk group because of his age and history of chronic diseases. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that affects more than 1.7 million Americans annually (Durning, 2020). Healthcare professionals must initiate early treatment interventions to predict tissue damage and organ failure. Septic shock survivors experience cognitive or physical disabilities, and home healthcare plays a crucial role in recognizing early symptoms, preventing infections, and avoiding readmissions.
The article reviews sepsis, focusing on its etiology, symptoms, home treatment, readmissions, preventive strategies, and postsepsis issues. Durning (2020) clarifies that sepsis can be caused by kidney infections, UTI, pneumonia, hypertension, and diabetes. Education on signs and symptoms is critical because the home environment, poor hygiene, nutrition, or pressure risks may provoke an infection, leading to septic shock. At home, people are distracted by various factors, and the task of home healthcare providers is to concentrate on the patient and consider the impact of chronic diseases and other risks. Attention should be paid to postsepsis syndrome, characterized by the possibility of increased fatigue, depression, hair loss, mental health problems, and amputations (Durning, 2020). Still, it is impossible to predict the development of postsepsis complications during a treatment process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, home healthcare providers should know how to recognize early sepsis symptoms among vulnerable population groups. The article’s author properly underlines the importance of learning the patient’s history to understand if there are severe risks for septic shock. Moreover, sepsis can be prevented if clinicians define red flags, improve nutrition, stabilize all care elements among patients in risk groups, and promote education for families.
Reference
Durning, M. V. (2020). Sepsis: A review for home healthcare clinicians. Home Healthcare Now, 38(4), 188-192. Web.