COVID-19, Sepsis, and Home Health Care

Webinar Description:

Home health care has always been a key component for optimal patient care throughout illness and recovery. Many patients currently in home care have chronic conditions putting them at increased risk for infection, such as the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which can then lead to sepsis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential to impact care has increased to meet the current unprecedented healthcare needs. In addition, many patients with COVID-19 are being cared for at home, either without being hospitalized, or following a severe case after hospitalization. Thus, home health providers have a unique opportunity to monitor patients and identify sepsis in the field. During this webinar, discussion about patient presentation, care, discharge, and implications for home health care, as well as care of patients in the home care setting is presented. Protocols, along with screening tools for both sick at home COVID-19 patients and recently discharged patients, is also covered.

This course was originally recorded on 4/23/2020.

Target Audience

Home health care workers, nurses, patient care assistants, and other healthcare staff

Learning Objectives

At the end of the presentation, the learner should be able to:

  • Identify signs, symptoms and risk factors of COVID-19.
  • Describe the typical clinical progression of COVID-19 and sepsis.
  • Discuss home care strategies and care recommendations for the COVID-19 patient.
  • Summarize protocols and screening tools used to provide patient care in the home.
  • Review common sequelae post-COVID-19 and sepsis.

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support provided for this webinar by Elara Caring.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Participation
  • 1.60 RN CE Contact Hours
    Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068.
Course opens: 
06/22/2019
Course expires: 
01/17/2023

Karin Molander, MD, FACEP

Emergency Medicine Physician, Mills Peninsula Emergency Medicine Associates

Karin Molander, MD, FACEP, is an emergency medicine physician who provides emergency care to patients in the community setting, analyzes quality of care, and is passionate about patient education. She received her MD from Rush Medical College in 1996 and completed her emergency medicine residency at Stanford University in 1999. She became involved with sepsis at Mills Peninsula Medical Center in 2007 training intensivists in central line placement to prepare them for Early Goal Directed Therapy (an initial Surviving Sepsis Campaign piece). She then joined the MPMC Sepsis Committee in 2009 and became chair in 2011, and participated in the LEAN process to develop a sepsis initiative for Sutter Area Hospitals. This led to electronic health record (EPIC) order sets, screening tools, and standard work for management of the septic shock and the severe sepsis patient within the Sutter RPIW team. They also created identification and treatment protocols that work throughout the Sutter System. She is also on the Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors.

Amy Bowerman, RN, BSN

Executive Director of Senior Health Network, Mohawk Valley Health System

Amy is the Executive Director of Senior Network Health MLTC and the Director of Quality Improvement and Privacy Officer for Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County. Both organizations are part of the Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, NY. Amy servers on the NYS Home Care Association’s Quality Committee, MLTC Forum and is the SEPSIS workgroup clinical leader. Amy epitomizes the “patient first” mindset that is reflective in her work, as well as bringing over twenty years of experience in acute care and post-acute care experience.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 1.6 contact hours.

Other healthcare providers will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.25 contact hours.

Medical Disclaimer

The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare provider. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare provider regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Participation
  • 1.60 RN CE Contact Hours
    Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068.
Please login or register to take this course.

This activity includes:

  • Pre-test
  • Downloadable slides
  • Pre-recorded webinar
  • Post-test (passing rate: 80%)
  • Evaluation

All components must be completed to earn a certificate of attendance. This course can be completed at your convenience.