The Sepsis Spectrum

The Sepsis Spectrum

Forget everything you ever read in a textbook when it comes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and sepsis complications – because they rarely play by the rules. They evolve, adapt, and strike before it’s too late. While classic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension are well known, the real challenge lies in recognizing the unexpected to reduce your mental list of those unknown, unknowns. Hosted by Critical Care RN & CNS Author Nicole Kupchik, The Sepsis Spectrum is an exploration of real-world patient cases, expert insights, and clinical deep dives to unravel the most complex presentations facing modern medicine. Through gripping stories and in-depth interviews, Nicole examines diagnostic challenges, cutting-edge treatments, and the growing threat of AMR. Designed for healthcare professionals at every level, The Sepsis Spectrum is about leaving you with more than compelling stories—it’s a vital resource in podcast form. Whether you’re at the bedside or in the classroom, you’ll finish each episode with practical, life-saving knowledge—and earn free CE Contact Hours for Nurses along the way. The fight against sepsis and AMR starts with recognition — because the most dangerous threats are the ones you don’t see coming. A Sepsis Alliance Podcast Nursing CE Contact Hours Available - Sepsis Alliance is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068. Most U.S. states accept CE provided through the California Board of Registered Nursing, but nurses in other states should check with their local and state accrediting bodies to confirm. Canadian and non-US based nurses should consult their provincial or territorial regulator to confirm acceptance.

Episodes

August 19, 2025 39 mins
What you don’t track, you can’t fix, and too often, we’re not even looking. Nicole is joined by sepsis survivors Dr. Hilary Spangler and Jackie Duda, along with pediatric ICU nurse-scientist Dr. Mallory Perry-Eaddy, for a raw conversation about what happens after survival. From missed red flags in special populations to long-term trauma and broken feedback loops, this episode is a wake-up call for teams ready to see the full pictur...
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When crisis hits every layer of care, how do you keep patients feeling human? Nicole is joined by Dr. Mark Mikkelsen and sepsis survivor Katy Grainger for a raw and powerful conversation for a raw and powerful conversation on how sepsis survival is only the beginning of a long and often difficult journey. This episode takes a closer look at the physical, mental, and emotional challenges that many sepsis survivors face after leaving...
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Sometimes what we call prevention is really just harm repackaged. Nicole, Dr. Hudson Garrett, and Armando Nahum dig into the paradoxes of infection control, where well-meaning efforts can produce unseen consequences. They explore the culture of blame, AMR and sepsis awareness pitfalls, and the need to refocus on patient experience. A provocative discussion for infection preventionists and frontline clinicians and leaders alike. Fe...
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July 29, 2025 39 mins
How can we diagnose what we haven’t yet defined? Nicole welcomes Dr. Shamim Nemati and Dr. Gabriel Wardi to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping sepsis detection. They dig into why existing definitions fall short, how data-driven tools can outperform traditional alerts, and where AI could take us next, from smarter antimicrobial stewardship to real-time clinical support. A conversation for anyone rethinking how we ...
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July 22, 2025 36 mins
What if the way we’re trained to recognize sepsis is part of the problem? Nicole sits down with Kathleen Vollman to unpack how clinician education, documentation habits, and broken workflows contribute to missed or delayed sepsis care. They explore why early signs like low temperature and increased respiratory rate are often ignored, how task-based thinking limits critical assessment, and what it takes to teach sepsis recognition t...
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Hospital-onset sepsis presents a complex and urgent challenge at the intersection of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and clinical decision-making. Nicole welcomes Dr. Jennifer Ginestra and Dr. Emi Minejima to examine how HAIs contribute to both AMR and the development of sepsis within hospital settings—and why these cases often carry higher risks and worse outcomes. Together they'll explore ...
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July 8, 2025 33 mins
Can pre-hospital teams catch sepsis before the hospital even sees it coming? Nicole sits down with EMS thought leader Eric Bauer to break down how tools like capnography, lactate testing, and passive leg raise are transforming early sepsis care. They dig into why respiratory rate matters more than we think, what end-tidal CO₂ can really tell us, and why protocols don’t have to mean tunnel vision. It’s a smart, field-tested look at ...
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July 1, 2025 39 mins
Can standard sepsis protocols catch what the gut already knows? In this conversation, Nicole sits down with Dr. Laura Kahn to explore how the microbiome could transform our understanding of sepsis, antimicrobial resistance, and upstream prevention. They dive into One Health thinking, gut-brain signaling, dysbiosis as an early disease marker, and why your patient’s toilet might someday replace lab work. A provocative look at the lim...
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July 1, 2025 38 mins
Unpack the critical links between infection, antimicrobial resistance, and sepsis with host Nicole Kupchik, and learn how together, they’re placing intense strain on public health systems, communities, and the broader social factors that shape health and well-being. Joined by sepsis and infection prevention leaders Pat Posa and Dr. Cindy Hou, this episode explores how preventing infections before they happen remains one of the most...
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April 29, 2025 1 min
~ SERIES PREMIERES JUNE 17, 2025 ~ If a microbial mutation falls in a bloodstream forest… does it make a sound? When she’s not pondering weird stuff like that, Nicole Kupchik (Critical Care RN, CNS) is busy investigating the weird, wide world of sepsis and antimicrobial resistance. Through shocking real-world cases that don’t quite follow the textbook — and eye-opening conversations with expert guests — she’s getting to th...
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