Schumer and Weingarten speak out for Sepsis Awareness Month

WASHINGTON - Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the nation's second-largest union of nurses, issued the following joint statement in honor of Sepsis Awareness Month. The two appeared today, along with advocates and health industry leaders, at an event of the Rory Staunton Foundation to raise awareness of the illness that affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. each year.

Sen. Charles Schumer:

"Serious illness and death from sepsis are all too common. Sepsis costs our healthcare system billions of dollars each year and takes an unspeakable toll on American families affected by it. Working together, many in this room helped ensure patients in my home state of New York now have the protections of 'Rory's Regulations.' It's time we brought these commonsense protections-like reporting, training and evidence-based screening and treatment protocols-to patients across the country. We owe it to all the families like Rory's to raise awareness and advance solutions. I'm proud to be a part of this important day, and I pledge to continue this important work with all of you."

"Working in our schools, communities and hospitals, AFT healthcare professionals are the first responders to illnesses and injuries acquired both in daily life and in hospitals. Our members understand that investing in high-quality care and safe staffing go hand in hand with preventing deadly infections like those that can cause sepsis. The United Federation of Teachers helped lead the way to codify Rory's Regulations in New York. And our members across the country will continue to advance sepsis safeguards for patients and communities. Through our Patients Before Profits campaign, AFT Nurses and Health Professionals is standing up for high-quality, affordable, accessible care in our communities, including lifesaving solutions to prevent and treat sepsis."

More resources are available online at www.nysut.org/sepsis.