True Concepts Medical Technologies

Initial Specimen Diversion: A Game Changer in Blood Culture Collection Blood cultures are critical for diagnosing infections like sepsis, but contamination during collection remains a significant challenge. This is where Initial Specimen Diversion (ISD) technology makes a difference. What is ISD? Initial Specimen Diversion involves collecting the first few milliliters of blood separately before the main sample is taken. This initial sample often contains contaminants from the skin or collection process that can lead to false positives. By diverting these contaminants, ISD helps ensure the integrity of the blood culture. Why Is ISD Important? - Reduces False Positives: ISD technology dramatically lowers the risk of contaminated blood cultures, leading to more accurate results and better patient care. - Prevents Unnecessary Treatments: By minimizing contamination, ISD helps avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and patient exposure to side effects. - Cost Savings: Fewer false positives mean fewer unnecessary treatments, shorter hospital stays, and less strain on healthcare resources. - Better Outcomes, Safer Care: Implementing ISD in routine blood culture collection is a simple yet highly effective way to improve diagnostic accuracy. This not only enhances patient safety but also optimizes hospital efficiency by reducing wasted time and resources on managing false positives. By prioritizing advanced methods like ISD, we’re taking a crucial step toward better healthcare practices and improved patient outcomes. Donate to the Sepsis Alliance as part of Situps for Sepsis for Sepsis Awareness Month in September! This month, we’re doing Situp for Sepsis where we encourage participants to donate $1 for every situp you can do. Just like physical fitness, any amount helps! Let’s spread awareness and ensure more people know the signs. Early recognition can be the difference between life and death. https://lnkd.in/gz8kPrTq #PatientSafety #BloodCultures #HealthcareInnovation #InitialSpecimenDiversion

False positive blood cultures occur when contamination…often from skin bacteria…causes incorrect results. This can make it appear as though a patient has a bloodstream infection when they don’t. Blood cultures are essential in diagnosing infections like sepsis, but false positives can lead to significant issues for both patients and healthcare systems. Why Does It Matter? - Unnecessary Treatments: False positives can lead to unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance and exposing patients to potential side effects. - Extended Hospital Stays: Patients may need prolonged monitoring, unnecessary tests, and longer hospital stays leading to higher costs and stress. - Resource Drain: False positives divert valuable healthcare resources, taking time and attention away from patients who genuinely need it. The Financial Impact: - Costly Interventions: False positives often result in unnecessary antibiotic treatments, which drive up costs and contribute to antibiotic resistance. - Extended Hospital Stays: Patients with false positive blood cultures may be kept in the hospital longer for monitoring, which increases bed occupancy and overall healthcare costs. - Additional Testing: Extra lab tests, imaging, and consultations are frequently ordered to “confirm” an infection that doesn’t exist, adding more expense. - Indirect Costs: These include the strain on healthcare staff, reduced bed availability for other patients, and time diverted from critical care The Bigger Picture: Studies show that false positive blood cultures can cost hospitals thousands of dollars per patient, contributing to billions in avoidable expenses across the healthcare system annually. Reducing the Financial Burden: - Improve Collection Techniques: Proper aseptic procedures and the use of Initial Specimen Diversion devices can reduce contamination. - Ongoing Training: Regular staff education on best practices can lower false positive rates. - Adopt Better Technologies: Investing in tools and techniques that minimize contamination can lead to significant long-term savings. Accurate diagnostics are crucial for patient safety. By addressing false positives, we can avoid unnecessary treatments, reduce costs, and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time! Donate to the Sepsis Alliance as part of Situps for Sepsis for Sepsis Awareness Month in September! This month, we’re doing Situp for Sepsis where we encourage participants to donate $1 for every situp you can do. Just like physical fitness, any amount helps! Let’s spread awareness and ensure more people know the signs. Early recognition can be the difference between life and death. https://lnkd.in/gz8kPrTq #PatientSafety #SepsisAwareness #BloodCultures #HealthcareQuality

When it comes to diagnosing sepsis, time is of the essence! Blood cultures are one of the most vital tools in early detection and guiding effective treatment. Why Are Blood Cultures Important? - Precise Diagnosis: Blood cultures help identify the specific bacteria or fungi causing the infection, allowing for targeted antibiotic or antifungal treatment. - Reducing Antibiotic Resistance: By identifying the pathogen, blood cultures help avoid broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Timing is Everything: In cases of suspected sepsis, drawing blood cultures before starting antibiotics is essential. This increases the chances of isolating the pathogen and determining the best course of action. Best Practices: - Draw cultures promptly when sepsis is suspected. - Collect samples from multiple sites for a comprehensive assessment. - Ensure proper technique to avoid contamination and ensure accurate results. By emphasizing the importance of blood cultures in sepsis protocols, we can enhance early detection, optimize treatment, and ultimately save lives. Let’s keep pushing for better awareness and adherence to these critical steps in sepsis care. Donate to the Sepsis Alliance as part of Situps for Sepsis for Sepsis Awareness Month in September! This month, we’re doing Situp for Sepsis where we encourage participants to donate $1 for every situp you can do. Just like physical fitness, any amount helps! Let’s spread awareness and ensure more people know the signs. Early recognition can be the difference between life and death. https://lnkd.in/gz8kPrTq #SepsisAwareness #PatientSafety #Healthcare #BloodCultures

We'll be sharing posts all month to shine light on the problem sepsis is for all of us. Each year, millions are affected globally, yet it remains widely misunderstood and often under-recognized. What is Sepsis? When your body fights an infection, it can sometimes trigger an overwhelming inflammatory response, leading to sepsis. If untreated, it can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. Key Facts: - Common Causes: Sepsis can arise from infections in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or abdomen. - Symptoms to Watch: Confusion, extreme weakness, high fever, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing - Timely Treatment Saves Lives: Early detection and treatment with antibiotics and IV fluids are crucial.   How Can We Help? - Educate others to recognize symptoms early. - Advocate for better sepsis screening in healthcare settings. - Support initiatives that prioritize rapid response to sepsis in hospitals. True Concepts’ patented D’Via product tackles Sepsis by providing a 3ml vacu-chamber, reducing contaminants that cause false positive and false negative diagnoses. This month, we’re doing Situp for Sepsis where we encourage participants to donate $1 for every situp you can do. Just like physical fitness, any amount helps! Let’s spread awareness and ensure more people know the signs. Early recognition can be the difference between life and death. https://lnkd.in/gz8kPrTq #SepsisAwareness #Healthcare #PatientSafety #Sepsis

Sepsis is a medical emergency that can affect anyone, regardless of age or health. Every year, millions are impacted by this life-threatening condition, yet it remains under-recognized and misunderstood. This month, let’s come together to raise awareness and take action! So, what is Sepsis? Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection goes into overdrive, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and, in severe cases, death. Early detection and treatment are critical for survival. Why Does Awareness Matter? - Sepsis is responsible for 1 in 3 hospital deaths in the U.S. - The symptoms: confusion, extreme weakness, high heart rate, fever, and difficulty breathing…can be subtle and easily missed. - Awareness and education can lead to faster recognition, which is key to effective treatment and saving lives. What Can We Do? - Educate: Spread the word about sepsis signs and symptoms within your community and networks. - Advocate: Support sepsis screening protocols in healthcare settings to ensure timely diagnosis. - Empower: Encourage others to speak up and seek medical attention if the suspect sepsis. Let’s use this month to drive home the message that sepsis is a race against time. By raising awareness, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and improve outcomes for those affected. Together, we can make a difference. Donate to the Sepsis Alliance as part of Situps for Sepsis for Sepsis Awareness Month in September! This month, we’re doing Situp for Sepsis where we encourage participants to donate $1 for every situp you can do. Just like physical fitness, any amount helps! Let’s spread awareness and ensure more people know the signs. Early recognition can be the difference between life and death. https://lnkd.in/gz8kPrTq Mick Hopkins Arash Babaoff Kevin Mackey Rebecca Love RN, MSN, FIEL #SepsisAwarenessMonth #Sepsis #PatientSafety #Healthcare