September is Sepsis Awareness Month, an annual campaign focused on improving public awareness of sepsis and the importance of recognizing it quickly. In 2026, Sepsis Alliance is marking the 15th anniversary of Sepsis Awareness Month, which it established in 2011.
For First Care Home Services, Sepsis Awareness Month is an important opportunity to remind patients, families, and caregivers that infections can sometimes become serious quickly—and that knowing when to seek medical attention matters.
First Care Home Services provides skilled nursing care throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County, Florida, including wound care and dressing changes, diabetic care, medication management and monitoring, catheter care, and IV administration.
Many individuals receiving home health care may be recovering from illness, hospitalization, or surgery or managing chronic medical conditions. Some of these circumstances can also increase a person’s risk of developing sepsis.
Understanding the warning signs can help patients and families know when a change in condition requires urgent attention.
What Is Sepsis?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Sepsis begins with an infection. The CDC reports that infections leading to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.
Sepsis is also more common than many families may realize. The CDC estimates that approximately 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis each year. Most cases begin before the patient reaches the hospital.
For families caring for someone at home, this makes recognizing significant changes in a patient’s condition particularly important.
Who Is at Greater Risk for Sepsis?
Anyone can develop sepsis, but some people have a higher risk.
According to current CDC guidance, higher-risk groups include:
- Adults 65 years and older
- Infants younger than one year
- People with chronic medical conditions, including diabetes and lung disease
- People with weakened immune systems
- People who recently experienced severe illness
- People who recently had surgery or were hospitalized
- People who previously survived sepsis
The CDC reports that most people who develop sepsis have at least one underlying medical condition or a recent hospitalization.
This is particularly relevant in home health care because some patients transition to the home following hospitalization, surgery, infection, or other significant medical events.
Sepsis Warning Signs Families and Caregivers Should Know
Sepsis does not look exactly the same in every person. However, the CDC identifies several signs and symptoms that may occur.
Families and caregivers should be alert for:
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Confusion or disorientation
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold
- High heart rate or weak pulse
- Shortness of breath
A patient may have one or more of these symptoms.
The most important message is simple: sepsis is a medical emergency.
If a person has an infection—or may have an infection—and develops concerning symptoms or experiences a rapid or severe decline, seek immediate medical attention.
Do not wait until the next scheduled home health visit.
Why Sepsis Awareness Matters for Home Health Patients
Patients receiving home health services may have health conditions or recent medical events that require continued observation and skilled care.
At First Care Home Services, our skilled nursing services include support with:
- Wound care and dressing changes
- IV administration
- Diabetic care and health coaching
- Medication management and monitoring
- Catheter insertion and maintenance
First Care serves patients throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County and works with patients and their loved ones to support individualized care and ongoing communication.
Depending on the patient’s condition and physician-ordered plan of care, skilled nurses may also be in a position to identify changes that require communication with the patient’s physician or another member of the healthcare team.
However, patients and families should never wait for a nurse’s next visit when a medical emergency is suspected.
Infection Prevention Is an Important Part of Sepsis Prevention
Because sepsis begins with an infection, infection prevention is an important part of reducing sepsis risk.
The CDC recommends taking steps to prevent infections, practicing good hygiene, recognizing the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and acting quickly when sepsis is suspected.
For home health patients, infection-prevention practices will depend on the individual’s condition and plan of care.
These may include appropriate hand hygiene, following wound-care instructions, taking medications as prescribed, properly caring for medical devices, keeping healthcare appointments, and promptly reporting concerning changes.
First Care nurses can reinforce physician-ordered care and provide patient and caregiver education appropriate to the individual’s plan of care.
Wound Care: Know What Changes to Report
Patients receiving wound care should pay attention to changes at the wound or surgical site.
The CDC identifies redness and pain around a surgical site, cloudy drainage from the wound, and fever as potential signs of a surgical-site infection and advises patients to contact their healthcare provider if symptoms of infection develop after returning home.
Depending on the wound and physician’s orders, First Care skilled nurses may assess the wound, perform dressing changes, monitor the patient’s response to treatment, and communicate significant findings to the appropriate healthcare provider.
Patients and caregivers should follow the wound-care instructions provided by their healthcare team and promptly report concerning changes.
IV Antibiotics and Infection Care at Home
Some patients may be prescribed IV antibiotics or other IV therapy as part of their treatment.
First Care provides skilled nursing services that include IV administration.
Receiving antibiotics does not mean that new or worsening symptoms should be ignored. If the patient’s infection appears to be worsening or the patient’s overall condition changes significantly, contact the appropriate healthcare professional according to the patient’s care instructions.
If symptoms suggest a medical emergency or possible sepsis, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Families and Caregivers Are Important Members of the Care Team
A home health nurse is present during scheduled visits, but family members and caregivers may spend considerably more time with the patient.
That means you may notice a change first.
Pay attention if your loved one suddenly:
- Seems confused or disoriented
- Develops fever, shivering, or feels unusually cold
- Has difficulty breathing or new shortness of breath
- Appears to be in extreme pain or discomfort
- Has clammy or sweaty skin
- Develops concerning changes around a wound
- Appears significantly different from their usual condition
If something has changed, communicate that information to the appropriate healthcare professional.
When the change is rapid, severe, or concerning for sepsis, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Recently Hospitalized or Had Surgery? Know Your Risk
This is especially important for patients who have recently returned home from a hospital or surgical procedure.
In updated guidance published in June 2026, the CDC specifically advises people who have experienced recent severe illness, surgery, or hospital care to understand their risk of sepsis.
The transition from hospital to home is therefore an important time for patients and caregivers to understand discharge instructions, medication schedules, wound or medical-device care, follow-up appointments, and which symptoms should be reported.
If instructions are unclear, ask your healthcare provider rather than guessing.
When Sepsis Is Suspected, Act Quickly
Sepsis cannot be diagnosed at home based on a checklist of symptoms.
A healthcare professional must evaluate the patient.
The CDC emphasizes that sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency and that people who may have sepsis should receive medical evaluation and treatment immediately.
If you are concerned about sepsis, tell the healthcare professional about the patient’s infection, recent hospitalization or surgery, wounds, IV therapy, medications, and any sudden changes you have observed.
The CDC also recommends asking:
“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
If a patient develops severe breathing difficulty, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, or another medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
First Care Home Services does not replace emergency medical services.
Sepsis Awareness Month 2026: Awareness Can Make a Difference
September 2026 marks 15 years of Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis Alliance continues to use the annual observance to educate patients, families, healthcare professionals, and communities about recognizing sepsis and taking action.
For First Care Home Services, that message is especially relevant to caring for patients at home.
Recognizing changes, preventing infection when possible, communicating concerns promptly, and knowing when emergency medical care is necessary can help patients and families become more informed participants in their care.
First Care Home Services: Skilled Nursing Care at Home
First Care Home Services provides skilled nursing services throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County, including wound care and dressing changes, IV administration, medication management and monitoring, diabetic care, and catheter care.
Our goal is to work with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to support physician-ordered care in the home while helping patients and caregivers better understand their healthcare needs.
Learn more about First Care Home Services’ skilled nursing services
If you or a loved one needs skilled nursing or home health services, contact First Care Home Services to learn more about available services in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
Sources & References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sepsis — About Sepsis. Provides current information on the definition of sepsis, symptoms, causes, prevention, and U.S. statistics.
CDC — About Sepsis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk Factors for Sepsis. Current guidance regarding populations at increased risk, including older adults, people with chronic conditions, and people with recent hospitalization, surgery, or severe illness.
CDC — Sepsis Risk Factors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recently Ill or Hospitalized People: Know Your Risk of Sepsis. Updated June 12, 2026, with information specifically for patients following severe illness, surgery, or hospitalization.
CDC — Recently Ill or Hospitalized: Know Your Sepsis Risk
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Surgical Site Infection Basics. Provides information about surgical-site infections, warning signs, and when patients should contact a healthcare provider.
CDC — Surgical Site Infection Basics
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis Awareness Month 2026. September 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Sepsis Awareness Month, established by Sepsis Alliance in 2011.
Sepsis Alliance — Sepsis Awareness Month
First Care Home Services. Skilled Nursing Care. Official information regarding First Care’s skilled nursing services and Miami-Dade and Broward County service area.
First Care Home Services — Skilled Nursing Care
This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency medical care. Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you believe you or someone else may be experiencing sepsis or another medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention or call 911.