Dr. Susan Roberts: Eyes of Sepsis: A National Campaign for Early Sepsis Recognition

EyesofSepsis™

Sepsis Is Missed Before It’s Recognized

The Certainty Trap™ delays action.
CRUSH 33® restores early recognition before deterioration.
Did You Know?

Sepsis is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths globally each year — more than cancer, heart disease, or accidents combined.

Did You Know?

Sepsis can affect anyone, but infants, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are at highest risk.

Did You Know?

Sepsis often starts from common infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or even skin wounds.

Why Sepsis Is Missed

Certainty Trap™

  • Waiting for certainty
  • Normal-looking vitals
  • Delayed escalation

Sepsis is missed in the thinking phase, not the treatment phase.

CRUSH 33®

  • Call it early
  • Rush labs
  • Speak up
  • Hold the clock accountable
  • Act within 33 minutes

CRUSH 33® interrupts the Certainty Trap™.

Early Recognition Changes Outcomes


Sepsis Does Not Wait. Neither Should We.

Structured education designed to strengthen pattern recognition, accelerate escalation, and support timely response.

In collaboration with Get Well
Led by Dr. Susan M. Roberts, DrPH
Founder, EyesofSepsis™ | Creator, CRUSH 33®

Early Recognition Changes Outcomes

Body changes

  • Fever, chills, or feeling very cold
  • Fast heart rate or breathing
  • Low blood pressure, dizziness

Mind changes

  • Confusion, new agitation
  • Very sleepy or hard to wake
 

Skin changes

  • Mottled, clammy, pale or flushed
  • Cool hands/feet, bluish lips

Gut & urine changes

  • Severe pain, vomiting, swollen belly
  • Very little or dark urine, burning

Bite-Sized Sepsis Education

Clinician Videos

Parent / Community Videos

Analogies (Broken Alarm Clock, Fire Behind Drywall, etc.)

In Collaboration with Get Well

Interactive patient and family education delivered at the bedside to support early recognition and engagement.

CRUSH 33® – A Medical Emergency™

A registered early recognition framework for time-critical sepsis response.

C — Call it early

Say “possible sepsis” and trigger your pathway.

R — Rush vitals, cultures, labs

BP, HR, RR, O₂, output; labs & cultures per protocol.

U — Use the protocol

Fluids, antimicrobials, source control per guidance.

S — Speak up, speak fast

Escalate concern clearly and immediately

H — Hold the clock accountable

Time is tissue—track every minute and act without delay

One Framework. Multiple Pathways.

For Clinicians

For Families

For Communities

About Us

EyesofSepsis™ is a registered trademark of Dr. Susan M. Roberts, representing her personal mission to break the silence that too often surrounds sepsis.

The campaign is supported by Muddy Waters Consultant LLC, the umbrella company that powers Dr. Roberts’ educational and advocacy work.

Sepsis can affect anyone, at any age, and every minute counts. EyesofSepsis™ exists to ensure more eyes are trained to see the danger before it’s too late.

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