Episode 8: Can We Humanize Post-Sepsis Care?

Description: 

Episode 8 of The Sepsis Spectrum: Microbial Mysteries Podcast. 

When crisis hits every layer of care, how do you keep patients human? Nicole is joined by Dr. Mark Mikkelsen and sepsis survivor Katy Grainger for a raw and powerful conversation for a raw and powerful conversation on how sepsis survival is only the beginning of a long and often difficult journey. This episode takes a closer look at the physical, mental, and emotional challenges that many sepsis survivors face after leaving the hospital—struggles that can persist for months or even years. They'll examine current discharge and follow-up practices and envision a more connected, survivor-centered model of post-sepsis care; one that recognizes how AMR and readmission can complicate recovery, and how personalized recovery planning can make all the difference.

Learning Objective: 

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

• Identify common physical, psychological, and cognitive burdens experienced by sepsis survivors;
• Describe how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concerns affect patient outcomes after discharge;
• Assess the adequacy of current discharge protocols and follow-up practices in addressing the needs of sepsis survivors;
• Describe a coordinated care plan that incorporates post-sepsis patient education, follow-up care, and future AMR considerations.

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.

Guests:

Mark E. Mikkelsen, MD, MSCE, FCCM

Associate Chief Medical Officer, Critical Care

University of Colorado Hospital

Mark E. Mikkelsen, MD, MSCE, FCCM is the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Critical Care at the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. Mikkelsen served as the Co-Chair of the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Thrive: Supporting Survivors of Critical Illness Initiative for 6 years. He has partnered with CMS and state hospital and healthcare associations to improve care coordination and reduce hospital readmissions for sepsis survivors.

Katy Grainger

Sepsis Survivor and Patient Advocate

Katy is a sepsis survivor serving on the Board of Directors of Sepsis Alliance since 2020. In September of 2018, while living in Hawaii, she became ill with what she thought was the flu. She was home alone at the time, but texted a friend 36 hours after symptoms began saying she had never been so sick and needed to go to the hospital. When she was admitted into the ER, her physicians suspected septic shock and began a protocol that saved her life.  Unfortunately, Katy ended up losing both of her lower legs and seven fingertips due to circulatory complications caused by the sepsis.

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 episode.

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.