From the Field: PAIRED Patient Discusses Diagnostic Error on Maternal Sepsis Day
On May 15, 2019, the Sepsis Alliance launched Maternal Sepsis Day “to raise awareness of the unique signs and symptoms of maternal sepsis.” To help others understand the importance of a timely and accurate sepsis diagnosis, Sarah Kiehl shared her story on the Sepsis Alliance website, which receives about 300,000 unique visitors a month. Sarah is a patient partner in the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM)’s Patient Improving Research in Diagnosis (PAIRED) project.
Surviving Sepsis Leads to Advocacy
On Thanksgiving Day 2015, Sarah delivered twins via C-section. Having suffered for many years from endometriosis, she had a routine laparoscopic hysterectomy 11 weeks later. Two weeks following the hysterectomy, she noticed abnormal vaginal discharge and immediately consulted her doctor. He assured her that her symptom was just part of the healing process.
Two days later, she became violently ill and went to the emergency room with nausea, vomiting, elevated temperature and severe pain. Following a CT scan and some confusion between her surgeon and radiologist, it was determined that she had some type of infection. She remained in the hospital overnight for antibiotics. She was ultimately diagnosed with sepsis due to low blood pressure, high temperature and rapid heart rate; she received medication and underwent emergency surgery.
“After months of healing, I am forever changed by this experience, and have decided to become a sepsis advocate in search of healing,” says Sarah. Read more about her story in the SIDM Story Bank.
As a sepsis survivor, Sarah was invited to join SIDM’s PAIRED project, which trained patients how to engage, as equal partners, in the design, conduct and dissemination of diagnostic research to improve diagnostic quality and safety. She and the other PAIRED graduates learned about the diagnostic process and how to identify possible research topics and questions, as well as the nuances of diagnostic research.
As a result of the training, Sarah is now actively engaged as a member of the Patient Advisory Board of the Disparities Project, a newly funded research project that addresses disparities in diagnosis. The Disparities Project is conducting a study to identify specific diagnostic error vulnerabilities for young people, women, and African Americans. Sarah will be focusing on the areas surrounding sepsis, with the goal to initiate protective strategies to reduce error.
Sarah is now a happy, healthy mother of three daughters. She feels that her experience with sepsis has given her a second chance. “I am honored to advocate for young women and mothers about the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and, ultimately, survival,” she says. “I will continue to fight to help save lives.”