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

CRUSH 33™

When Time Runs Out in Silence™ | CRUSH 33™ – A Medical Emergency™

What is CRUSH 33™

The concept of CRUSH 33™ was born out of a critical need: Too many patients were dying because sepsis was recognized too late.
As a nurse and public health leader, Dr. Susan M. Roberts witnessed firsthand how minutes matter in saving lives. She created CRUSH 33™ to:
• Transform the way healthcare teams respond to sepsis.
• Provide a memorable, unforgettable framework that clinicians can activate
immediately.
• Unite doctors, nurses, and caregivers under one clear, fast-moving protocol.
CRUSH 33™ is a battle cry against silence, delay, and missed signs. It’s about
saving lives by holding the clock accountable.

Accurate weight in kilograms ensures correct fluid resuscitation and antibiotic dosing. If infection is suspected, antibiotics must be started immediately — every hour of delay increases mortality.

Why this matters

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Delays in recognition and treatment drive worse outcomes — minutes matter. We replace hesitation with reflex so fewer lives are lost to silence. No paywall. No delay. Just action.

CRUSH 33™ — the first 33 minutes

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

Close the loop and escalate for instability.

H — Hold the clock accountable

Reassess rapidly; move to higher care if needed.

Why Dinosaurs Belong with Eyes of Sepsis™ & CRUSH 33™

Tagline: Big lessons from giants—so the small threats don’t win.

1) Time & Extinction → the CRUSH 33™ clock
• Dinosaurs = deep time. Their story is the ultimate reminder that timing decides survival.
• Sepsis = a race against the clock. Eyes of Sepsis™ (“When Time Runs Out in Silence™”) and CRUSH 33™ are about acting before the tipping point.

 Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and thousands more face the hidden danger of S-E-P-S-I-S during chemo and recovery. Cancer weakens the body’s defenses, leaving patients vulnerable to infections that can turn deadly in just hours. That’s why CRUSH 33™ is more than a protocol—it’s a lifeline.
🌸 This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s protect the fighters, the survivors, and the warriors we love by learning the signs, speaking up, and acting fast. Together, we can CRUSH 33™—because time is life.”
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