Last week, KHA released an op-ed to the media from Interim President and CEO Melanie Landrum highlighting statewide hospital collaboration to improve sepsis recognition and treatment.
Sepsis remains one of America’s leading causes of death, but Kentucky hospitals are demonstrating how collaboration, early recognition and rapid treatment can help improve patient outcomes.
In the new op-ed, Landrum highlights the work of the Kentucky Sepsis Consortium, one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide quality improvement collaboratives focused on sepsis care.
Today, 104 hospitals participate in the Consortium, representing every Kentucky hospital with an emergency department. Nearly 99 percent of patients arriving at emergency departments are screened for sepsis during triage, and in 2025 alone, Kentucky hospitals screened more than 1.5 million emergency department patients.
Landrum explains that those numbers represent something much bigger than performance measures: patients whose sepsis can be recognized sooner and treatment started when it can make the greatest difference.
“These numbers represent far more than performance measures. They represent parents returning home to their children and grandparents celebrating another birthday.”
The op-ed brings that impact to life through the story of Kentucky resident Darrell Raikes. After routine knee surgery, Raikes developed septic shock and spent weeks in a medically induced coma. He survived and now dedicates his life to helping patients facing the same life-threatening battle he endured.
“Stories like Darrell’s remind us that sepsis is not rare, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or health.”
Landrum also emphasizes the need for greater public awareness. Symptoms such as fever, chills, confusion, extreme pain, difficulty breathing or unusual sleepiness can signal a medical emergency, and rapid treatment is critical.
“With sepsis, tomorrow may be too late.”
As Sepsis Awareness Month approaches, the op-ed encourages families to recognize sepsis as a medical emergency and seek swift medical attention when symptoms appear.
“The Kentucky Sepsis Consortium demonstrates what is possible when hospitals work together with one goal: delivering better care for every patient who walks through our doors.”
