Episode 3: Can We Catch Sepsis Earlier?

Description: 

Episode 3 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Microbial Mysteries Podcast. 

Can pre-hospital teams catch sepsis before the hospital even sees it coming? Nicole sits down with EMS thought leader Eric Bauer to break down how tools like capnography, lactate testing, and passive leg raise are transforming early sepsis care. They dig into why respiratory rate matters more than we think, what end-tidal CO₂ can really tell us, and why protocols don’t have to mean tunnel vision. It’s a smart, field-tested look at sepsis, before the IV even starts.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the episode, the learner should be able to:

• Identify key clinical signs and risk factors for recognizing infection and sepsis in pre-hospital settings, including outpatient and EMS environments;
• Evaluate the role and limitations of point-of-care diagnostics and treatment modalities in supporting early sepsis recognition and antimicrobial decision-making in pre-hospital care;
• Analyze the implications of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the pre-hospital setting and how emergency and transport personnel can contribute to antimicrobial stewardship;
• Compare the challenges and clinical priorities across different pre-hospital care contexts—including 911 emergency response, interfacility transport, and post-discharge patient handoffs—to improve communication and care continuity for patients with suspected infections.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Guest:

Eric Bauer, MBA, FP-C, CCP-C

Executive Director

FlightBridgeED

Eric Bauer, MBA, FP-C, CCP-C, is the guiding force behind FlightBridgeED, LLC. As CEO, he humbly brings over three decades of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). His journey, especially in the Helicopter EMS (HEMS) space over the last 20 years, has been a path of quiet dedication. Eric has authored two best-selling books and delivered 90 national/international lectures and speaking engagements on emergency medical and critical care, hoping to shed light on complex topics for audiences worldwide.

Eric's voice reaches many through his writing and his podcast, which has been downloaded over 6 million times. His efforts have been acknowledged with a few industry awards, like the 2017 EMSWORLD Innovation Award for his work on ventilator management and the 2018 John Jordan Award for Excellence from the Air &  Surface Transport Nurses Association. In a unique honor, he was named an Honorary  Fellow of the Academy of Air & Surface Transport Nurses, marking a special moment as  the first paramedic accorded this honor. Other recognitions include the 2023  NAEMT/JONES & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group EMS Educator of the Year and the 2024 recipient of the Tim Hynes Award by the International College of Advanced  Practice Paramedics.

Eric focuses on improving education and practices in EMS and critical care, striving to make a lasting, positive impact in the field.

CE Information:

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 0.6 contact hours.

Other healthcare professionals will receive 0.5 participation contact hours for this session.

Medical Disclaimer: 

The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.