Sepsis in Older Adults: Are We Up for the Challenge?

Webinar Description: 

People of all ages develop sepsis, but older adults are disproportionally affected. Individuals over 65 years old, particularly those who have health issues, are more susceptible to sepsis than any other group. This webinar will discuss the incidence of sepsis in older adults and the physiologic aging process making seniors at higher risk to develop sepsis. Basic sepsis pathophysiology will be reviewed along with differentiation between sepsis and SIRS. Challenges of sepsis recognition and treatment considerations will be presented. 

This course was originally recorded on 01/14/2021.

Target Audience

Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, emergency responders, healthcare management teams, and other healthcare staff may benefit.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Outline the epidemiology of sepsis in older adults, including the economic cost burden.
  • Delineate the physiologic aging changes that might predispose older adults to sepsis.
  • Discuss potential barriers to diagnosing sepsis in older adults.
  • Define and differentiate between SIRS and sepsis.
  • Review the basic pathophysiology of sepsis.
  • Discuss the etiology of sepsis, including the primary sites in the older population and their treatment goals.
  • Describe the mechanism of actions of specific drug therapies and their effectiveness in the older population.
  • Restate how comorbidities can challenge the provider’s ability to treat the older patient with sepsis.

 

 

     

    Course summary
    Available credit: 
    • 1.50 Participation
    • 1.80 RN CE Contact Hours
      Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068.
    Course opens: 
    06/15/2019
    Course expires: 
    12/31/2024

    Theresa A. Rowe, DO, MS

    Assistant Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics

    Theresa A. Rowe, DO, MS is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed a Geriatric Medicine fellowship at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center and an Infectious Disease Fellowship at Yale University, and is board certified in both specialties. She has extensive clinical and research experience in health care associated infections in long-term care settings, including management of sepsis in older adults.

    June McKoy, MD, MPH, JD, MBA

    Associate Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics

    June M. McKoy, MD, MPH, JD, MBA is a nationally known health services researcher and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg school of Medicine. She is board certified in Geriatric Medicine, having completed a Geriatric Medicine fellowship at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center.

    Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 1.8 contact hours.

    Other healthcare providers will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.5 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

    • 1.50 Participation
    • 1.80 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 presentation
    • Post-test (80% passing rate)
    • Evaluation

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