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Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Sepsis in Immunocompromised Patients

While sepsis is an equal-opportunity killer impacting the sick, the well, and people of all ages, some groups are more likely to be affected. Those with a weakened immune system[1] are one of the groups more likely to be affected by sepsis. Individuals with any type of primary immune deficiency, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer, organ transplants, or those on certain types of medications, like corticosteroids, are all considered immunocompromised.[2]

Sepsis is a leading cause of death, killing an estimated 350,000 adults each year in the U.S..[3] Immunocompromised patients are even more likely to die from sepsis. For instance, sepsis mortality amongst cancer patients is 43-55% higher than in patients who do not have cancer.[4] Immunocompromised patients may also present differently than patients who are not immunocompromised, due to a variable inflammatory response, leading to potential delays in diagnosis and treatment.[5] This creates additional complications, as the risk of mortality from sepsis increases by 4-9% for every hour treatment is delayed.[6]

It is imperative that healthcare professionals understand the unique risks that immunocompromised patients have regarding sepsis to efficiently and accurately assess and diagnose sepsis in immunocompromised patients.

To address this issue, Sepsis Alliance is hosting the 2024 Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Sepsis in Immunocompromised Patients. This live, virtual event, will cover critical topics related to sepsis in immunocompromised patients, including a special focus on patients with cancer and patients with HIV.  Attendees will have access to the most up-to-date clinical knowledge and treatment recommendations for these populations. The key outcome of this half-day event is to establish the burden of sepsis in immunocompromised patients and improve clinical outcomes for immunocompromised patients affected by sepsis.

Covered topics will include:

1. Infection and sepsis burden and risks in the immunocompromised host;
2. Sepsis recognition and care considerations in the immunocompromised patient;
3. Sepsis and acute respiratory failure in patients with cancer;
4. The effect of HIV infection on the host response to bacterial sepsis;
5. Outcomes of patients with or without HIV infection.

FREE Nursing CE Credits Offered! 

Continuing nursing education credits will be available, as will post-event access to resources, ideas, and innovations to address the issue of maternal and neonatal sepsis. Sepsis Alliance is a Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 3.6 contact hours. Other healthcare providers will receive a certificate of attendance. 

Support This Event

Sepsis Alliance is proud to offer this symposium at no charge to participants. Please consider making a donation to help Sepsis Alliance continue to educate thousands of healthcare professionals and members of the public every year. 

Agenda to follow!

Symposium Supporters:

Sponsor the Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Sepsis in Immunocompromised Patients

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Gilead and Baxter for this symposium.

References:

[1] Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Impaired Immune System. 2022. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/impaired-immune-system/