UCHealth hospitals across Colorado are saving more lives from sepsis, thanks to investments in virtual monitoring and improved care coordination. The system now prevents at least 1,000 additional sepsis deaths a year compared to hospitals with average mortality rates, a fivefold increase compared to five years ago.
At UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, the impact has been especially strong. Parkview, which joined UCHealth in 2023, is now ranked in the top 10th percentile of hospitals nationwide for reducing deaths from sepsis, a life-threatening complication of infection. The hospital is among eight UCHealth facilities in the top 10% of their cohorts, and every UCHealth hospital ranks among the nation’s top 25%.
“Treating sepsis takes coordination across pharmacy, nursing, physicians and more,” said Dr. Jeffrey Shapiro, a pulmonology and critical care specialist with Parkview Medical Center. “Virtual monitoring ensures we meet every milestone for patient recovery.”
“Sepsis is hard to detect because it’s subtle until it’s not,” said Amy Hassell, chief nursing officer of the UCHealth Virtual Health Center. “It is high consequence, and it has time consequence. Typically, for every hour you get antibiotics, your mortality improves by 10% You want to find it as early as you can.”
UCHealth has customized its Epic electronic health record to continuously monitor patient data, including oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature and lab results. When early signs of sepsis are detected, the Virtual Health Center alerts on-site teams. In some cases, staff also activate secure cameras to collaborate in real time with bedside providers.
“Virtual monitoring is a game-changer for our patients,” said Noreen Bernard, chief nursing officer at UCHealth Parkview. “It has led to so many improved lives, so many saved lives. By using this technology, we can detect sepsis earlier, respond faster and improve outcomes.”
Virtual health monitoring supports rather than replaces bedside care, added Dr. James Caldwell, chief medical officer at UCHealth Parkview. “By combining advanced technology with high-reliability processes, we’re ensuring safer hospital stays for our patients,” he said.
In 2011, Sepsis Alliance declared September to be Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis remains a leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals.
With earlier detection, virtual support and rapid response, UCHealth is setting a new standard for sepsis care across its 14 hospitals and hundreds of clinics in Colorado, southern Wyoming and western Nebraska.