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Tenn. county EMS launches new sepsis pre-hospital protocol

A new protocol allows Hawkins County EMS to administer Zosyn to sepsis patients, aiming to improve outcomes in a county where sepsis made up a quarter of EMS calls last year

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Hawkins County EMS ambulances.

Hawkins County Emergency Medical Services/Facebook

HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. 鈥 Hawkins County EMS has adopted a new protocol allowing responders to treat sepsis with Zosyn on-scene before hospital arrival.

Under the updated guidelines, EMS crews can administer Zosyn to patients showing signs of sepsis, Captain Samuel McMurry, the agency鈥檚 training coordinator, told the .

According to McMurry, sepsis cases in Hawkins County last year were an estimated one-fourth of EMS calls.

鈥淲e determined that Zosyn would be the best antibiotic to go with, just for the simple fact it鈥檚 a broad-spectrum antibiotic,鈥 McMurry said.


Update your understanding of the role of antibiotics, fluid administration and coordination of clinical care

Hawkins County EMS is now the first emergency service in the region to implement this new protocol, the Johnson City Press reports. While similar protocols have been in place in parts of Middle Tennessee and North Carolina for about five years, McMurry said delays in coordination between the hospital and EMS likely slowed local adoption. He took the lead in navigating those logistics to get the protocol approved.

McMurry collaborated with Ballad Health and Hawkins County EMS Medical Director Dr. George Testerman to develop criteria for identifying sepsis and selecting an appropriate antibiotic. They chose Zosyn, with the main concern being potential allergic reactions in patients with penicillin allergies, according to the Johnson City Press. McMurry noted that in most cases, family members are aware of such allergies, but he urged individuals to use medical ID features on their phones or wear a medical alert bracelet.

Under the new protocol, Zosyn cannot be administered if the patient is allergic to penicillin or if a blood culture hasn鈥檛 been drawn. McMurry emphasized that collecting a blood culture beforehand is essential for hospitals to accurately identify the infection-causing pathogen.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and 草莓影视.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.