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Sepsis discovered in a nursing home patient

A patient with a history of sepsis and stroke develops low Pulse OX. BioLink System notifies the nursing home staff.

Patient Information

38 year-old female

Preexisting Conditions

Tachycardia, Acute Renal Failure, Ventilator Dependent

Patient History

Sepsis, Stroke

Device Used

Wrist Wearable

A patient with a history of sepsis and stroke develops low Pulse OX. BioLink System notifies the nursing home staff.
Timeline

5:56 AM

Low pulse OX alert at 89%. No action by staff.

4:30 PM

Low pulse OX alert at 89% with increased heart rate at 102 BPM. Nurse completed bedside assessment. MD notified. Patient sent to the hospital per MD orders.

Summary

This case study from BioLink Systems focuses on a critical incident involving sepsis in a 38-year-old female nursing home patient with a history of tachycardia, acute renal failure, sepsis, stroke, and ventilator dependency. The BioLink monitoring system's role in early detection and response plays a central focus in this case.

Initially, a low Pulse Oximetry (Pulse OX) reading of 89% was recorded by the system, but no immediate action was taken by the staff. A subsequent alert later in the day for the same low Pulse OX level, coupled with an increased heart rate of 102 BPM, triggered a more decisive response. This time, the nursing staff completed a bedside assessment, and the patient's doctor was notified. Based on the findings, the decision was made to transfer the patient to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis and began antibiotic treatment. After her recovery, she was readmitted to the nursing home.

This case study highlights the critical importance of timely response to health monitoring alerts in preventing severe health outcomes in high-risk patients. The initial missed alert underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring systems, while the subsequent response emphasizes how prompt attention and action can lead to successful medical intervention, especially in life-threatening conditions like sepsis. This scenario demonstrates the invaluable role of BioLink Systems in enhancing patient care through advanced technology, which can be pivotal in saving lives in nursing home settings.

Diagnosis

Sepsis

Alerts Received

Increased Heart Rate, Low Pulse OX