New York Health Care Community Commemorates Pediatric Sepsis Week
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Brandon Vogel
Please join Sepsis Alliance, END SEPSIS, the Home Care Association of New York State, and pediatric care providers in New York State in raising awareness this week about Pediatric Sepsis, during Pediatric Sepsis Week!
According to Sepsis Alliance:
- Sepsis is the leading cause of death of young children and babies worldwide.
- In the U.S., 75,000 children develop sepsis each year – that’s 200 children per day.
- More children die of sepsis than of childhood cancers.
- One-third of pediatric sepsis survivors show a decline in their functional status 28 days after hospital discharge.
- Preterm infants who are Black are 13 times more likely to develop sepsis and 15 times more likely to die than non-Black infants.
- Infants from lower-income families are 20% more likely to die from sepsis.
- Infants from families without health insurance are 3 times more likely to die from sepsis.
Thomas Heymann, President & CEO, Sepsis Alliance, emphasizes that “Sepsis is the leading cause of death of young children and babies worldwide. Sepsis Alliance launched Pediatric Sepsis Week in 2019 in response to the need for more information, more awareness, and more knowledge about the effects of sepsis on this vulnerable population. We empower advocates worldwide to raise sepsis awareness during this week, to save young lives.”
Individuals develop sepsis related infections in all settings, but the vast majority – an estimated 87 percent – develop sepsis in home and community, and are especially at risk when they don’t know the symptoms and the need to act fast when recognized.
Individuals with special needs, frailty or medical conditions that require treatment at home, and in community are especially vulnerable.
For children, Sepsis Alliance has created a special animated character named “Bug” that in the friendliest of ways helps children learn potentially life-saving awareness of sepsis symptoms and bringing them to the attention of a parent or caring adult. Learn more here.
The co-founders of END SEPSIS authored a children’s book “Ouch, I Got a Cut!” that likewise educates children (and parents) about infection and sepsis awareness.
Orlaith and Ciaran Staunton, co-founders of END SEPSIS and parents of Rory Staunton, who tragically died at age 12 after a minor cut quickly progressed to sepsis, said:
"As parents who lost our beloved son Rory to a preventable case of sepsis, we know firsthand the heartbreak and urgency surrounding this public health crisis. We are driven every day by the knowledge that greater awareness among families and caregivers and stronger federal policies will save lives. Sepsis, especially in children, is an urgent health crisis which demands immediate national attention. While we've made important progress in public awareness and policy reform, we will not stop fighting until no child is lost to this preventable and treatable condition.”
In 2021, the Home Care Association of New York State (HCANYS) was awarded funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to build on work it had initiated throughout the preceding decade under the guidance of Sepsis Alliance and the END SEPSIS-Legacy of Rory Staunton, to develop clinical screening and intervention tools for sepsis for adults receiving home health services. One of the major components of this Cabrini Foundation grant was to explore the development of an analogous tool and protocol for pediatric cases, which for the compelling reasons cited above, was an imperative.
In statement by HCANYS, HCANYS President Al Cardillo and Associate Director Taylor Perre said: “Newborns, and especially children with medical conditions and other special needs that are supported by home health, are among the higher risk populations for sepsis. Working with Sepsis Alliance, END SEPSIS, clinicians around the country, as well as with Global Sepsis Alliance, four pediatric home care centers in New York State, and researchers that included our two MD candidate fellows, clinical tools were created, tested, and are in use in home health that are specifically designed to screen for, prevent, and prompt rapid intervention in sepsis for children.”
One of the pediatric centers participating in the pioneering of the home health pediatric tool was St. Mary’s Hospital Home Care serving all of New York City and Long Island. Dr. Maggie Lang, RN Clinical Education Manager, for St. Mary's Home Care, said:
“St. Mary's Home Care is committed to preventing sepsis from causing severe complications in our Medically complex young patients. The pediatric sepsis tool in our home care setting is designed to educate our clinicians and families on early identification of sepsis. This proactive approach enables us to tackle potential threats swiftly, ensuring the best outcomes for those in our care.”
Another of the pediatric centers pioneering the home health pediatric tool was Americare home health care, also service the New York metropolitan area. Veronica Khrustaleva, Director of Staff Education, Americare, said: “The pediatric sepsis tool empowers families and community physicians by providing rapid, reliable sepsis identification in the home care setting, bringing comfort to pediatric nurses and ensuring timely intervention by Americare staff for our youngest patients.
HCANYS MD candidate fellows, graduating next month from Albany Medical Collage with “MD with Distinction” honors for their leadership in the development of the pediatric home health tool, are Devneet Singh, MBA, 2025 MD Candidate, and Shayhaan Shaikh, MBA, 2025 MD Candidate.
Devneet and Shayhaan provided this joint statement saying: "Sepsis remains a critical concern in the pediatric population, with cases presenting regularly to the hospital setting. Early recognition and timely intervention are essential to reducing both morbidity and mortality. The Pediatric Sepsis Screening Tool plays a vital role by identifying children at highest risk in our community and ensuring prompt diagnosis and escalation of care —ultimately improving outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable patients."
To learn more about pediatric sepsis, visit the Sepsis Alliance website at www.sepsis.org and the END SEPSIS website at www.endsepsis.org. To learn more about the pediatric sepsis tool in home health, contact HCANYS at