A 21-year-old woman, J.C., is admitted to the emergency room with appendicitis. After a successful appendectomy, she develops a life-threatening condition called septic shock due to a MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection. The infection is contracted through her IV site, which was contaminated by a nurse who did not wash her hands after coming into contact with a patient with MRSA. The infection causes J.C.'s blood pressure to drop, her organs to shut down, and her body to go into vasodilation. Despite being given antibiotics, her condition worsens, and she is moved to the ICU. The medical team eventually discontinues the initial antibiotics and administers broad-spectrum antibiotics, which help to treat the MRSA infection. J.C. also receives fluid resuscitation and norepinephrine to address the severe vasodilation and increase her heart rate. The story highlights the importance of handwashing and proper infection control in hospitals, as well as the challenges of treating sepsis and the need for medical professionals to speak up and take a closer look when unsure.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. J.C. is a 21-year-old woman who presents to the emergency room with appendicitis.
2. A CT scan confirms that J.C.'s appendix is about to burst.
3. J.C. undergoes an appendectomy and initially recovers without complications.
4. J.C. develops a fever and her condition worsens over time.
5. A medical student notes that J.C.'s IV site is swollen and red, but is hesitant to speak up.
6. The attending physician does not take immediate action, and J.C.'s condition continues to deteriorate.
7. J.C. is eventually moved to the ICU and intubated due to septic shock.
8. J.C. is diagnosed with septicemia, a life-threatening condition caused by bacteria in the blood.
9. The bacteria causing J.C.'s septicemia is identified as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
10. J.C.'s chances of survival decrease to 80% and then to 73% due to delayed treatment.
11. J.C. is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and fluid resuscitation.
12. J.C. is given norepinephrine to increase her heart rate and constrict her blood vessels.
13. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 1.5 million cases of sepsis per year in the United States.
14. Sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals, with a mortality rate of around 25%.
15. The cost of treating sepsis can range from $100,000 to $500,000 per patient.
16. J.C. eventually recovers from her infection and her organs fully function again.
17. The story highlights the importance of hand hygiene, proper infection control, and prompt treatment in preventing and managing sepsis.