Sunday, Sep 26 - Expo Hall Opening
Sunday, Sep 26 - Job Fair
Monday,
Sep 27 - AWHONN's Block Party
Monday, September 27, 2010
: 1:30 PM
Title: The “Shocking Truth” about Group A Toxic Shock and the Pregnant Patient
Venetian
Discipline: Childbearing (CB)
Learning Objectives:
Submission Description:- Describe signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) as it affects the pregnant patient.
- Describe the multi discipline approach in caring for the Group A infected pregnant patient.
- Define sepsis and articulate potential multi-system organ failure that can be associated with this inflammatory process.
Toxic Shock Syndrome has been in medical literature for the past several decades, however little is found on Group A Streptococcus Toxic Shock Syndrome (GAS TSS). Even less has been documented on the obstetrical effects of this condition. The presenting clinical features of this infection may be attributed to many other common obstetrical complications such as: Abruptio placenta, influenza, pyelonephritis, or chorioamnionitis. The rapid clinical deterioration that these patients experience demands that the nurse and other medical team members are able to identify and aggressively treat this condition in a timely manner. The course of GAS TSS can begin with general malaise, fever, and pain and continue on to severe shock with hours. Most patients are in severe shock within 4-8 hours of presenting for care (Stevens, 2009). Multi-organ failure occurs rapidly and resuscitative efforts must be used to prevent death. This rapid toxic response by the patients demands not only quick identification of this condition, but the rapid deployment of multidisciplinary team members. Our team included the obstetrician, OB hospitalist, anesthesiologist, infectious disease physician, intensivist, respiratory therapist, laboratory/ blood bank, and obstetric nurses, critical care nurses and ancillary staff. The availability of the proper emergency processes enabled the practitioners to mount a prompt, organized response to the care of this patient. Our recently- formalized OB Rapid Response team was used to mobilize the OB team and the evidenced- based massive transfusion guidelines provided proper blood component ratios to support this critically ill patient. Using science and evidence-based practice, hospitals can develop solutions to the uncommon complications that, when encountered, can be deadly.