NCCAD Launches Sepsis Treatment Program

The North Crawford County Ambulance District has established a comprehensive prehospital sepsis treatment program.

The program was launched on July 4 under the direction of Dr. Shayne Keddy, the medical director.  . Often touted as an overlooked and under treated illness, sepsis is involved in 6-8% of EMS transports. 

In the US over 1.7 million people develop sepsis annually with up to half of these people having EMS contact prior to hospital administration. Delays of more than 1 hour in the treatment of sepsis are associated with a 7.6% increase in mortality per hour.

North Crawford County Ambulance District has been administering antibiotics for open fractures since early 2024. 

“We have now expanded our treatment abilities to very common adult illnesses to include respiratory related illnesses, wounds, UTI and skin infections,” said Chief Jeremy Stetina. “We utilize the NEWS2 scale for evaluation of criteria and qualifying individuals receive treatment as soon as possible, along with quality supportive care.”

Within 21 hours of placing this treatment in the ambulance, Stetina said one patient has already been treated and transported for sepsis.