New drug may stop sepsis from reaching major organs

Researchers discover a drug that has the potential to stop sepsis before the condition reaches major organs and becomes fatal.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an existing infection — such as one that develops in a cut, a respiratory infection, or a urinary tract infection — triggers an immune response that affects the body's tissues and major organs.

Sepsis constitutes a medical emergency because, if a person does not receive treatment, it can lead to death.

In the United States, over 1 million people experience severe sepsis every year, and up to 30 percent of these individuals die as a result.

Worldwide, over 30 million people have sepsis each year, and up to 6 million people die from it. Most commonly, sepsis is caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

New research brings much-needed hope for the treatment of sepsis. Researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) — which is located in Dublin — have tested a compound called cilengitide in a preclinical trial. The drug goes by the brand name InnovoSep.

Doc, hospital face another lawsuit over drug doses, deaths

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Another family is suing an Ohio hospital and a critical-care doctor accused of ordering excessive doses of pain medication for dozens of patients who died.

Attorneys for the family of Peggy Francies filed the lawsuit Tuesday against the Columbus-area Mt. Carmel Health System and Dr. William Husel (HYOO’-suhl). The health system and Husel face at least two dozen wrongful-death lawsuits.

Growing body of evidence on euthanasia

In response to Diane Adams' letter of March 11: My name is Bradley Williams. As a caregiver and serving in my fifth legislative session, I want to share with you some of my findings.

I represent everyone in Montana who stands first for the individual versus the medical/governmental complex.

5 myths about legalizing assisted suicide in NY (Commentary)

In 2019, the New York Legislature will once again consider a bill to permit healthcare providers to give lethal prescriptions to adults who are deemed terminally ill and ask to die. Despite lack of success in the past, proponents will use myths in arguing that legalizing assisted suicide enhances patient choice without compromising patient safety.

New guidelines for hospitals in England to cut sepsis deaths-What about the U.S.???

New guidelines for hospitals in England to cut sepsis deaths

Hospitals could face financial penalties if they fail to meet new guidelines for detecting and treating sepsis.

The guidance, mandated by NHS England, includes a requirement for staff to alert senior doctors if patients suspected of having the deadly condition do not respond to treatment within one hour.

All NHS trusts in England will be contractually obliged to fully comply with the advice from April, in a bid to improve accountability.

Sepsis a leading cause of death in US hospitals but many deaths may not be preventable

Sepsis is a major contributor to disability, death and health care costs in the United States and worldwide. A growing recognition of the high burden of sepsis as well as media coverage of high-profile, sepsis-induced deaths have catalyzed new efforts to prevent and manage the disease. While new initiatives have been beneficial in paving the road toward better detection and treatment of sepsis, the role of sepsis in associated deaths and their preventability remain largely unknown. To address this question, a research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital has comprehensively reviewed the characteristics and clinical management of patients who died with sepsis. The results are published in JAMA Network Open.

Intravenous Vitamin C is a cancer killer the FDA still wants to ban

Vitamin C has a broad spectrum antioxidant function with the ability to protect cell structures and DNA from free radical damage. Vitamin C is remarkably safe even in enormously high doses. Compared to commonly used prescription drugs, side effects are virtually nonexistent.

No matter how high the concentration, vitamin C does not harm healthy cells. Yet, through an array of enzymatic and metabolic reactions, vitamin C has an impressive ability to protect and treat and wide range of diseases, including cancer. When something is this effective at treating disease, the FDA will stop at nothing to prevent public access.

The benefits of long-term vitamin C consumption in excess of the U.S. government recommended daily allowance (RDA) are widely acknowledged and include reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts.

Higher-than-RDA vitamin C intakes have been associated with increases in good HDL cholesterol, decreases in LDL cholesterol oxidation, decreased blood pressure and decreased cardiovascular mortality.