McKinney. Texas — For Laurie Clemencich, who runs the sepsis program at Medical City McKinney, sepsis was something she fought every day on behalf of patients, until it nearly took her own life.
Clemencich was rushed to Medical City McKinney’s Level II emergency room after a urinary tract infection rapidly progressed, making it difficult for her stay awake. Her son-in-law, an Allen firefighter, brought her in, where emergency physicians and nurses quickly performed blood tests to diagnosis Clemencich with septic shock. They initiated life-saving treatment and admitted her to the ICU where she stayed for nearly a week.
Now recovered, Clemencich brings a personal perspective to her role, one shaped by surviving a condition she works tirelessly to prevent.
“I truly understand now what our patients go through: the fear, the uncertainty and the long road to recovery,” says Clemencich. “Because of the emergency room team, I’m alive. That experience has completely changed how I approach my work. I fight even harder to make sure everything is done right for our patients from the very beginning.”
Sepsis is a medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes life-threatening organ dysfunction. Early recognition and rapid treatment in the emergency room are critical. According to the CDC, every hour of delayed treatment increases the risk of death.
Medical City McKinney’s emergency room physicians, clinicians, nurses and caregivers are trained to quickly identify sepsis symptoms and initiate evidence-based protocols that can mean the difference between life and death.
“Our emergency department is often the first point of care for patients with sepsis,” says emergency room physician, Kevin Martens, MD. “Laurie’s story underscores why rapid assessment and immediate treatment are so vital and why emergency care truly saves lives.”
As Sepsis Awareness Week is observed this week, Medical City McKinney is sharing Clemencich’s story to raise awareness of sepsis symptoms and emphasize the critical role emergency care plays in early detection and survival.
Common signs of sepsis include:
- Fever or low body temperature
- Rapid heart rate or breathing
- Confusion or extreme pain
- Shortness of breath
Medical City McKinney encourages anyone experiencing symptoms of infection that worsen or feel severe to seek emergency care immediately.
“Sepsis doesn’t wait,” Clemencich adds. “If something doesn’t feel right, go to the emergency room. It saved my life, and it can save yours.”