FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Graham, susan.graham@towerhealth.org, 610-983-1551
Hospital educates community on prevention and treatment
Phoenixville, PA, September 17, 2020 – Phoenixville Hospital – Tower Health joins
healthcare organizations around the world in recognizing “Sepsis Awareness Month.”
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection. For
reasons that are not well-understood, sepsis develops when an individual’s immune
system suddenly stops fighting an infection and instead fuels it. When a person is
septic, the body releases immune chemicals into the blood. These chemicals trigger
widespread inflammation, which can impair blood flow and lead to tissue damage, organ
failure, or death.
Sepsis is preventable and treatable in most cases with early recognition. That’s why it’s
critical to be aware of sepsis and to recognize the symptoms.
While most Americans have heard of sepsis, only 12 percent can identify the most
common symptoms. While there is no single symptom of sepsis, signs of sepsis can
include a combination of the following:
• Confusion or disorientation
• Shortness of breath
• High heart rate
• Fever or shivering – or feeling very cold
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Clammy or sweaty skin
“Improving care of patients with sepsis is a priority at each Tower Health hospital,” said
Debra Powell, MD, Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases and Medical Director for
Infection Prevention at Reading Hospital. “Each of our hospitals have a multidisciplinary
team committed to the goal of expediting care to patients suspected of having sepsis to
achieve the best outcomes for the individual.”
Anyone can develop sepsis, but those most at-risk include children younger than one,
adults age 65 or older, and individuals with chronic diseases and weakened immune
systems. Prevention of sepsis includes following a general hygiene plan, washing your
hands, and taking care of any open wounds. If a patient in an emergency room or
hospital is suspected of being septic, the hospital will give antibiotics and IV fluids and
will conduct tests to determine the condition and best course of treatment.
“When it comes to sepsis, it’s all about TIME – Temperature, Infection, Mental Decline,
Extremely ill,” said Amit Gangoli, MD, Medical Director of Infectious Diseases at
Phoenixville Hospital. “If you know the signs, you can get to a hospital in time to save a
life. Sepsis is a medical emergency and takes more lives than prostate cancer, breast
cancer and HIV/AIDS combined.”
Take time during Sepsis Awareness Month to educate yourself about the symptoms of
severe infection and sepsis. If you think you may be septic alert a medical professional
immediately or call 911 and say, “I am concerned about sepsis.”
Physician interviews are available upon request.
ABOUT PHOENIXVILLE HOSPITAL:
Located in Phoenixville, Pa., and a member of Tower Health, Phoenixville Hospital is a
144-bed facility that provides comprehensive medical services through emergency room
visits, inpatient admissions, outpatient procedures and community outreach programs.
Phoenixville Hospital’s services include an award-winning cardiovascular program, a
fully accredited cancer center, NAPBC-accredited breast health center, an acute
inpatient rehabilitation center, and a large robotic surgery center. Phoenixville Hospital
is accredited by The Joint Commission and has been recognized for its quality
outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines that include joint replacement
surgery, advanced heart failure care, and the designation as a Primary Stroke Center.
