Septic Storm

[Ronald Gross]

By the way, this reminds us all how instinct often takes over in a well-trained professional, even in the worst of circumstances - and I couldn't imagine something any worse!!  Please give this fellow my best wishes - and while he and his wife are going through this horror, you need to keep reminding her that when her husband recovers, he will owe his life to her.  

>>> "Charlene M Morris" <cvmmorris at gmail.com> 4/18/2008 7:14 AM >>>
This is a cross post from a PA colleague. if anyone has thoughts or
explanation for the term "septic storm", please advise!

Charlene Morris, PA-C

I have a friend/patient/volunteer EMT who is in the hospital after being run
over by a 30,000# tractor.  He suffered a crushed pelvis.  He has been
fighting sepsis for some time.  night before last he had a couple of
episodes of pretty severe shaking.  The nurse used the term "septic storm"
to his wife to describe these spells.  I could not find any reference to
thistgerm, either written or internet, nor had my SP ever heard the term.
the only thing I can conjure up is either the bacteria is releasing waves of
toxin or the antibiotics are causing waves of bacterial cell lysis which is
provoking the episodes.  He did grown out VRE so they have had to change
antibiotics.  last night he went in to surgery and had a drain placed in his
perineal wound.  It was expected to take 1 hour for the surgery and ended up
taking 3 because they found, drained, cultured and cleaned out an abscess
pocket, which I figure should help his recovery process.  I realize he is
not out of the woods by any stretch, but wondered if anyone has heard the
term "septic storm".  this has hit our small group of 10 volunteer EMTs
pretty hard  as he and his wife are both EMTs.  His wife is an intermediate,
was first on the scene and managed to hold herself together enough that she
was able to start the two large bore IVs he needed and which   probably
enabled him to make it through the chopper flight alive.  in any case if
anyone has heard the term septic shock, I would appreciate hearing what you
understand it means.  TIA.
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