In Memory Of...

It seems like yesterday that our healthy 23 year-old daughter, Erin, entered the hospital for elective surgery. Five days later she was gone. A victim of Sepsis.

 

About the Author

     I'm Erin's dad, and solely responsible for the content in this section. I needed a  non medical / non political / differing view, area to express my opinions and that of others, so we can talk candidly about sepsis. There is no silver bullet for sepsis.  CURRENT Treatment is all about early recognition, appropriate immediate emergency care with correct antibiotics and possible surgery to eliminate the source of infection ASAP.

   I was with Erin when she died. She had a look on her face that begged," Can't you do something, Dad"?  That expression is my driving force!

     Fact is, Erin like so many others die primarily from failure to rescue, which is not treating properly complications that arise from another condition. Three years after Erin left us, I got sepsis from a UTI and truly believe I orchestrated my own survival, based on what I did not know to do for, My Bug, Erin! It was all about early recognition! You must in control of your health care or have a healthcare advocate.
   Be knowledgeable! Don't rely on others to save you or your loved one's. No one loves you or your loved ones, like you do! 
  You must take responsibility for your own healthcare and that of your family! I have many doctors of my own and not because they are friends but because I know they are competent and they will treat   me to the best of their professional ability.

     I was told at her bedside that morning, " there are lot's of Erin's." I was stunned to find evidence later showing, not only 215,000 deaths from sepsis every year in the U.S., but almost an equal number of deaths from medical errors 
   There are 18 million death worldwide yearly from sepsis. It could be the #1 cause of death worldwide and few people have heard about this syndrome. 
How Can this Be?
   I'm not a physician, nor a sepsis expert, but I  practiced in the health care field as an endodontist for 30 years, before retiring. I know the system of silence that exists in the health professions.  There is no malpractice, if the standard of care is followed. We know all of things don't work out, in spite of the best efforts.
    The majority of blog material comes from the internet and my objective is to make sepsis understandable to the lay person. I also have met lot's of knowledgeable people concerning sepsis and they have been a valuable resource to me. 

    So, if I can help you in anyway to find answers about sepsis, help you through a crisis situation or get you involved  in SAs' mission,  please feel free to contact me via e-mail: flatc41@aol.com .

   If you or a loved one is in crisis concerning sepsis and not getting answers, feel free to call my cell at anytime; Carl Flatley :  (727) 460-7765.

Coming blog content:
* How to protect yourself in the hospital?
* MRSA & Clostrdium difficle.
* Why so many medical errors?
* Other victims stories uncensored.
* Can I prevent sepsis?
* Erin's mistakes published.
* And more.
 Information shared on this blog is not to be considered medical advice, nor intended to replace communication between you and your caregivers.

 

 

 


B.U.G.S.
Battle Underway Getting Sepsis
 

     5/19/12

Impact of Sepsis.

 
“Sepsis is the most common, least recognised illness in both the developed and developing world.” Every day, it is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths, but it is often misunderstood as being ‘blood-poisoning’. GSA
 

     5/19/12

Is Sepsis preventable?

 
The main way it can be prevented is if it is recognised early and the patient receives adequate measures of treatment. Treatments, like antimicrobials and intravenous fluids must be initiated when the first signs of organ dysfunction appear. If they are given in the first few hours the survival rate may be up to 80 percent, but studies suggest with each hour of delay the mortality rate increases by five to eight percent.” K.R.
 

     5/18/12

God bless Aimee Copeland!

 
The woman who is fighting the flesh-eating bacteria is fighting sepsis. Her doctors are using the term, and her dad is writing about it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AimeeWePrayThatWeGetToSeeThatSmileAgain
 

     5/17/12

What is "fleash eating bacteria"?

 
"Flesh-eating bacteria" is a misnomer, as the bacteria do not actually "eat" the tissue. They cause the destruction of skin and muscle by releasing toxins This toxin is capable of causing the overproduction of cytokines and severe systemic illness (Toxic shock syndrome).
 

     5/17/12

What does critically ill mean?

 
The AMA’s CPT has redefined a critical illness or injury as follows: “A critical illness or injury acutely impairs one or more vital organ systems such that the patient’s survival is jeopardized.”
 

     5/17/12

What is ACCN NTI?

 
I will represent SA at NTI ACCN in Orlando( National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition) on my dime to support our great nurses.
 

     5/15/12

Shocking!

 
I have been following Aimee in Georgia and the sensationalism around her " flesh eating disease" story broadcast nationally. The word SEPSIS is not mentioned on the major news networks. WHY? Her bacteria may be rare but the problem of sepsis is the #3 cause of death in the US and only 44% of the populace in the US has heard of it. The Sepsis Alliance hopes to change this. Be informed please, "So More Survive".
 

     5/15/12

A presenter observation.

 
Her observation after giving a sepsis awareness presentation: “I realized that there are two extremes to sepsis awareness: either they >> had never heard of sepsis, or they had been affected by it personally. “ Rhonda Gluckner; Ohio
 

     5/13/12

Another Fundraiser for Sepsis Alliance.

 
Pictures from BUGS CLASSIC at; http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3945367441668.2165287.1504473137&type=1 Proceeds to Sepsis Alliance. Thanks to Erin's sister and brother , Jennifer and John Flatley. "So More Survive"!
 

     5/13/12

Please help the Sepsis Alliance.

 
Please help us raise $60,000 to service our website for one year. Help us create awareness and Save Lives and Limbs. Thanks in advance.

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