This Sepsis Awareness Month, Onvida Health is sharing meaningful progress in the care of patients facing one of the most serious – and often difficult to recognize – medical emergencies. Compared with the same period in 2025, Onvida Health reduced the sepsis-related death rate by 43% in 2026.
“Sepsis is a leading cause of hospital deaths and readmissions worldwide, which makes this progress especially impactful,” said Alexis Keane, Sepsis Program Coordinator at Onvida Health. “Behind that result is a hospital-wide effort to build on established practices and come together around a shared goal: making a meaningful difference for our patients and our community.”
Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection goes into overdrive and begins harming its own tissues and organs. It can start with something as common as a urinary tract infection, pneumonia or an infected wound, and the early signs may feel like a typical illness.
“Sepsis is dangerous because it can start and appear as a regular infection,” added Keane. “Someone may think an illness or infected cut is not that serious, but the body can begin reacting in a way that quickly turns it into a major emergency.”
Sepsis care has long been a priority at Onvida Health, particularly in the emergency department, where many patients with sepsis first arrive. Over the past year, the health system has built on that established approach by expanding and strengthening its sepsis processes throughout the hospital.
At Onvida Health, quality improvement initiatives include regularly reviewing patient care and outcomes, identifying trends, and bringing teams together to strengthen patient safety. The sepsis program is one example of that ongoing effort, with the Quality Department and care teams using data to guide practices that help reduce harm and improve outcomes.
As part of that work, nurses, physicians and other members of the care team now have additional tools and guidance to help them recognize possible warning signs and respond consistently. One of those tools is updated technology within Onvida Health’s electronic medical record system. The system looks for changes in a patient’s health information that may point to sepsis and alerts the care team. The alert prompts nurses and providers to take a closer look at the patient’s condition and determine whether testing or treatment is needed. When sepsis is suspected, the care team can quickly order necessary tests and begin antibiotics, fluids and other treatments as appropriate.
Onvida Health is also taking sepsis education beyond the hospital. Keane has participated in local health fairs to help community members understand what sepsis can look like, recognize possible warning signs and know when to seek care.
Someone who is already sick or fighting an infection should pay close attention if they are getting worse instead of better. Possible warning signs include:
- Fever or a very low body temperature
- A fast or pounding heartbeat
- Rapid breathing or difficulty catching your breath
- Confusion or difficulty understanding what is happening
- Extreme weakness or a sudden, serious decline in how someone feels
Anyone experiencing serious symptoms such as confusion, difficulty breathing or a racing heartbeat should seek emergency care immediately. Call 911 if the symptoms are severe or the person cannot safely travel to the hospital.
By strengthening care inside the hospital and sharing important information throughout the community, Onvida Health is helping local patients receive care sooner when every minute matters.
