Sepsis Kills! Help me raise awareness.

Marcia I Start Date: Jul 21, 2016 - End Date: Nov 20, 2016
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • United Kingdom
  • Paris, France

My Travel Story

by: Marcia I Start Date: Jul 21, 2016 - End Date: Nov 20, 2016
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
If I ask you what you think of when I say "Muhammad Ali", you may think 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' or the greatest boxer on earth.  I think sepsis.  If I ask you what you think of when I say "Jim Henson", you may think of the Muppets.  I do too, but I also think of sepsis. If you ask me what I think of when I see my dad, it's that I may not be seeing him at all if it weren't due to the prompt recognition and treatment of his sepsis.  If you ask my colleagues what they think of when they hear my name, hopefully one of the answers is 'SEPSIS'! 
    Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's attempt to fight an infection results in the immune system damaging tissues and organs.  This response causes systemic inflammation and can rapidly lead to multi-organ failure and death.  A person dies of sepsis somewhere in the world every 3-4 seconds.  For almost 5 years I have made raising sepsis awareness in my hospital my mission.  As a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Australia, I have worked with my colleagues to improve our time to first antibiotics for patients with sepsis.  Research suggests that if we can recognise sepsis early and treat promptly with appropriate antibiotics within 60 minutes, we can help reduce the rate of death associated with this life threatening condition.
    In May this year, my passion was recognised and my work to raise awareness rewarded with the Global Sepsis Alliance Award for individual achievement.  In December, I hope to travel to the Institute Pasteur to attend the International Sepsis Forum, meet like minded professionals and receive my award.  This is the trip of a life time and has also motivated me to study a Research Higher Degree with a focus on the clinical management of Sepsis in our hospitals.  
 A life without passion is not a life, it is merely exisiting.  I know that my passion for sepsis is contagious, and  I know that I can make a difference in someone's life.  Please help me make that difference.
  • United Kingdom
  • Paris, France

Updates

8

  • Wow!

    Wow!
    So excited to say that I have been selected as a finalist in the Ko Awatea International Excellence in Health Improvement Awards 2016 - Individual Award - Leading Sustained Quality Improvement!

  • Thank You!

    Thank you!
    Thank you to everyone who has contributed. Thanks to your generosity I have been able to order my passport and pay for my travel insurance. Thank you :-)