Sepsis Watch

     Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined as an acute process, which results in moderate to severe loss of lung function.

   The most common causes of ARDS are pneumonia, sepsis (an overwhelming infection in the body), aspiration of fumes, food or stomach contents into the lung, and trauma.

   A number of different complications can occur with ARDS. Secondary bacterial infections are a common complication and contribute to continued lung injury.

    Infections may also occur in other parts of the body such as the bloodstream, urinary tract, sinuses, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. And as we all know now: "any infection can lead to sepsis and death or disability" . Remember the basic signs of sepsis: 

                                          TPR

  TPR = elevated Temperature, Pulse and Respirations plus an Infection