Sepsis is a serious bloodstream infection where the body's bloodstream is overwhelmed with bacteria. The body responds to the infection with inflammation, which can be life-threatening.

Being diagnosed with sepsis can be particularly troubling to you and your family because the condition is so serious. However, you can take comfort in knowing that most people with sepsis are already in the hospital, where they can receive the treatment they need.

Many people forget to look for signs of sepsis until it's happening. At Sutter Solano Medical Center, we've made a focused effort to identify, treat and prevent sepsis before it progresses.

Early signs of sepsis include fever, a heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute and labored breathing.

Care teams at Sutter Solano closely monitor people with sepsis, often in critical care units, and adjust treatment to each person's specific needs.

Sepsis is particularly dangerous because it can be hard to detect and may come on suddenly. In 2014, Sutter Health launched its Sepsis Initiative to reduce the number of people who come down with this condition. As part of the initiative, experts in the Sutter Health network have created specific protocols for treating sepsis in the first six hours, the most critical time for the condition. For instance, nurses now have tools that prompt them to screen people for sepsis, and sepsis cases are more quickly escalated so the right medical experts can see the person as soon as possible.