Jake Tapper’s daughter, Alice, survived sepsis and now advocates for the safety of others.

Jake Tapper's daughter, Alice, survived sepsis and now advocates for the safety of others.

The Devastating Impact of Sepsis: One Family’s Fight for Awareness

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Alice Tapper, now 15 years old, once found herself on the brink of death due to an undiagnosed severe infection. In a powerful testimony during a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) media briefing, Alice and her mother, Jennifer Tapper, shared their harrowing experience to raise public awareness about sepsis, a life-threatening condition that often goes unrecognized.

Alice’s ordeal began with excruciating abdominal pain, a high fever, and vomiting. Visiting the emergency room, her parents, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper, were informed that Alice had a viral infection and were advised to wait it out. Little did they know that Alice was battling sepsis, a condition where a severe infection triggers a chain reaction leading to organ failure.

“My heart was breaking, and I was losing my daughter, and I couldn’t get anyone to listen,” Jennifer Tapper recalled. While Alice ultimately survived, the Tapper family was left feeling grateful but angry that her infection went unnoticed and could have resulted in tragedy.

The Hidden Danger of Sepsis

Sepsis is a grave concern, contributing to at least 1.7 million hospitalizations and 350,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Shockingly, the CDC found that more than a quarter of U.S. hospitals lack a committee dedicated to monitoring and reviewing sepsis care. Furthermore, only 55% of hospitals with a sepsis committee allocate time for leaders to manage the program and engage in daily activities.

During the media briefing, Jennifer and Alice Tapper, alongside CDC officials, emphasized the importance of caregivers and patients being vigilant about the possibility of sepsis when dealing with severe infections. Conversely, doctors need to take concerns over sepsis seriously and be prepared to respond when necessary.

Misdiagnosis, and Finally, Help

Alice Tapper’s case exemplifies the challenges in recognizing sepsis. Over two days, her condition deteriorated while doctors attributed her symptoms to nothing more than a stomach virus. Thankfully, her father’s determination led them to a healthcare professional who took further steps. This proactive approach eventually led to a sonogram and emergency surgery.

The CT scans revealed fluid leaking throughout Alice’s abdomen, and she was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In addition to sepsis, Alice developed hypovolemic shock, a condition where the body is deprived of essential oxygen and nutrients due to severe blood loss. Although her story culminated in a positive outcome, it involved numerous surgical procedures and a long recovery period.

“I’m now on a mission to tell my story and encourage hospitals to listen to patients, even if they are young, and to parents,” declared Alice. She firmly believes that her path of care would have been different had her appendicitis been taken seriously and the signs and symptoms of sepsis properly acknowledged.

A Complex Condition

Despite its devastating impact, sepsis presents significant challenges for early diagnosis. As Dr. Chris DeRienzo, chief physician executive for the American Hospital Association, explained, the condition can manifest differently in each patient. Neonatology, for instance, may find a slight drop in heart rate as the earliest sign of sepsis in an extremely premature baby. Meanwhile, an elderly patient with heart failure may experience newly developed shortness of breath, posing a challenge in distinguishing whether it stems from sepsis or worsening heart failure.

Given the complexity of sepsis, a comprehensive evaluation and collaboration among experts from various hospital departments are crucial for early identification and treatment. Dr. Hallie Prescott, a pulmonary and critical care medicine expert who contributed to the CDC’s Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, emphasized the importance of assessing a patient’s clinical presentation and combining it with relevant tests. Unfortunately, no single blood or diagnostic test can conclusively determine the presence of sepsis.

Hospitals Responding to the Challenge

In response to the growing sepsis crisis, the CDC has issued recommendations to hospitals. These include establishing multi-disciplinary sepsis teams, appointing leaders, implementing clinical guidelines, actively tracking sepsis cases, and reporting them to public health officials. Furthermore, hospitals must provide ongoing sepsis education for healthcare professionals and patients.

Regrettably, the CDC’s report reveals that over 1,400 hospitals across the nation have no sepsis program in place. Dr. Raymund Dantes, a CDC medical adviser, stressed the importance of these hospitals initiating and implementing sepsis committees. The CDC’s Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements serves as a useful guide, providing support for hospitals regardless of their current level of sepsis program development.

To aid the efforts of healthcare professionals, Jennifer Tapper presented a list of warning signs that parents should be aware of, including a high heart rate, weak pulse, fever, shivering, cold extremities, confusion, shortness of breath, extreme pain, and clammy skin. Jennifer also urged healthcare providers to listen attentively to caregivers, parents, and patients, including teenagers, as they possess valuable insights into their own health.

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In conclusion, Alice Tapper’s experience sheds light on the grave consequences of sepsis and the importance of increased awareness and improved healthcare response. Sepsis is an unpredictable condition that requires a comprehensive approach to its diagnosis and treatment. By implementing the CDC’s guidelines, hospitals can establish effective sepsis programs, potentially saving countless lives and sparing patients from extended hospital stays and lengthy recoveries.

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