The quarterly meeting of the Marion General Hospital Auxiliary was held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 28 at Broad Street Restaurant. A buffet luncheon, provided by the hospital, was served at 11 a.m.
Doris Broom, president, called the meeting to order and welcomed those present. Twenty-two members were in attendance. Guests attending were Wanda Morgan, administrative assistant, Kelli Woods, nursing secretary, and Cindy Aultman, R.N.
Due to the absence of Rev. Versie Lee, Larry Main gave the devotional based on Psalms 23. He shared his personal testimony. He also shared that we need to praise God for His faithfulness. God still answers prayers today. We need to thank God for His many blessings to us. The blessing for the meal was given at this time.
After the meal, Cindy Aultman, R.N., was the guest speaker. Her topic of discussion was Sepsis Awareness. Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sepsis is a medical emergency. Sepsis is a public health crisis with 270,000 deaths per year in the United States, taking more lives than opioids, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Sepsis affects people of all ages and levels of health but those at a higher risk are the very young, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems.
Sepsis itself is not contagious but the infection that triggered sepsis could be. Infections that can lead to sepsis are bacterial (most common), viral, fungal and parasitic. Symptoms consist of fever, feeling chilled, confusion, extreme pain and rapid breathing. Sepsis can’t always be prevented but can be treated successfully in most cases with early recognition. When someone has severe sepsis, their chances of survival drop by as much as 8 percent for every hour that goes by without treatment. It is the No. 1 killer in hospitals in the United States, however most cases (87 percent) begin in the community, developing from an infection someone gets in everyday life such as an infection from a paper cut, a bug bite or pneumonia.
Preventive measures include getting vaccinations, care of open wounds, seeking medical help when you suspect you have an infection, taking antibiotics correctly if prescribed, and practicing good hygiene and handwashing. Older sepsis survivors are at a higher risk for long-term cognitive impairment and physical problems and more likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility rather than to their previous living arrangements. Handouts were given out to the auxiliary members on sepsis prevention and “Tips for Talking with Your Healthcare Team.”
A short video was shared from Sepsis Alliance featuring Angelica Hale, America’s Got Talent finalist and sepsis survivor with a reminder that is all about TIME:
Sepsis Alliance created T.I.M.E., an easy-to-remember acronym of the key signs and symptoms of sepsis to look out for. T.I.M.E stands for:
T-Temperature-higher or lower than normal
I-Infection-may have signs or symptoms of infection
M-Mental Decline-confused, sleepy, difficult to arouse
E-Extremely ill-“I feel like I might die,” severe pain or discomfort
Recognizing these symptoms is particularly important in people who have recently been ill, had an infection or have had an invasive procedure, such as an intravenous, a urinary catheter or even a tattoo or piercing. If you suspect you or someone you know may have sepsis, see a medical professional immediately, call 911, or go to a hospital and say, “I am concerned about sepsis.”
For more information on sepsis or Sepsis Alliance, please visit sepsis.org.
A thank you gift was shared with Ms. Aultman. After the door prizes were given out, the meeting was adjourned.
