September 25, 2014 VOLU M E 31 | I SS UE 1 3 | 5 0 ¢
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Suspect sepsis, save lives Statewide tour visits Lutheran Medical By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Most people know that heart attacks and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States, but ask what the third is and more often than not, a blank stare is the response. A bus tour of Colorado is aiming to change by providing information about sepsis, which affects more than 12,000 people in Colorado every year. The tour stopped by Lutheran Medical Center on Sept. 16 to give caregivers a chance to learn about the disease and how to treat it. “Sepsis can develop from any condition and like so many things, the key is to recognizing it early,” said Debbie Fimple, marketing manager with MSC, a local company that helps improve patient safety. “The Sepsis Alliance helps to provide a solution for this disease.” Sepsis — often called blood poisoning — is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs, according to information provided. Sepsis
can result from any infection, such as a urinary tract infection, meningitis, pneumonia, appendicitis, or even a simple cut on your hand. In severe cases, organs begin to fail. In the worst cases, blood pressure drops and the heart weakens, leading to septic shock. Once this happens, multiple organs may quickly fail and the patient can die. What makes sepsis difficult to pin down is that in many cases it looks like the flu. People will start to feel terrible, have trouble breathing, have a rapid heart rate and may have a very high fever. The key to preventing it is recognition of the signs. With rapid treatment the number of deaths from sepsis can be halved. In the bus healthcare providers get to see technicians work with a full-grown adult, child and baby simulators on how to best treat the disease, and some of the signs of the illness. Seth Jones and Scott Bartholomew, both with MSC, walked Lutheran staff through some of the ways they should treat sepsis in both adults and children, using state of the art simulations. “For the public, they may have heard a lot about the signs of heart attack and stroke, and it’s important that they are aware of this,” Jones said. “Time is of the essence when it comes to sepsis, but there are little clues that people can pick up
The Suspect Sepsis. Save Lives. campaign came to Lutheran Medical Center on Sept. 16 to provide healthcare professionals with information about the signs and treatments for the disease. Photo by Clarke Reader on — like suddenly feeling terrible, rapid heart rate — that can help. Public awareness is how we’re going to nail this disease. The Suspect Sepsis. Save Lives. Campaign is led by the Sepsis Alliance, MSC,
University of Colorado Hospital, Citizens for Patient Safety and the Association of Registered perioperative Nurses (AORN). For more information visit www.suspectsepsis.org.
Biden urges strength to Dog (and cat) stop domestic violence fight over city commission
POSTAL ADDRESS
Vice president speaks at agency in Denver
By Hugh Johnson
By Vic Vela
vvela@colorado communitymedia.com
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Wheat Ridge Transcript 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. GE T SOCIAL WITH US
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Vice President Joe Biden came to Denver on Sept. 19 to urge men to stand up against domestic violence, saying that men have “an absolute obligation to intervene when you see violence taking place.” “That’s manhood,” the vice president said. “That’s being a man.” Biden gave his passionate remarks prior to taking part in a round-table discussion on domestic violence at a Safehouse Denver office on Capitol Hill. The organization provides services and shelter for battered women. Biden’s trip marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, which he spearheaded as a U.S. senator. Biden recalled some pushback at the time of the legislation, saying that some used to consider domestic violence “a family matter.” The vice president thanked the press for covering that effort 20 years ago, saying the media was “the reason why we’ve been able to put a face on domestic violence.” Biden’s remarks came just a couple of hours after National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to fans for his handling of recent incidents involving domestic violence among league stars. “I would respectfully sug-
Domestic violence victim and advocate Rose Andom wipes away a tear as Vice President Joe Biden talks about domestic violence during a Sept. 19 visit to a women’s safehouse in Denver. Photo by Vic Vela gest to you had what has gone on in the NFL in the last four weeks been reported in 1984, I doubt very much it would get the coverage it’s getting now,” Biden said, in a nod to the changing cultural attitudes toward domestic violence. Biden was flanked by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and domestic-violence advocates and survivors. Hancock — whose sister was shot 12 years as part of ongoing domestic violence suffered at the hands of her boyfriend — praised Biden’s work on the issue. The mayor also touted the soon-to-be built Rose Andom Center — named after a domestic violence survivor who sat next to the vice president — which will serve as a “onestop shop” for domestic-violence victims to receive care and services. The center will have on-site police, magistrates and child and pet care
services. “Our goal here today is to shed light on the issue of domestic violence in our community,” Hancock said. Biden reminded the audience that violence isn’t unique to certain groups of people. He said that gays and lesbians are also victims, as are undocumented immigrant women, who may fear deportation by going to the police to report abuse. And Biden urged college students to step up whenever a violent act against a woman seems imminent. “Turning away when you see a fraternity brother take an obviously, completely, thoroughly drunk young woman and head to his room, you have a moral obligation — you are a coward if you do not stop him,” Biden said. Biden continues on Page 5
In the wake of a tumultuous relationship between city staff, including the Wheat Ridge Police Department, and the Animal Welfare Control Commission (AWCC), city council will look to either disband the commission or find new opportunities for the AWCC to operate within the city. The AWCC is a group that advises city council and city staff on issues concerning the control and disposition of animals. The AWCC is a long-standing commission, dating back to the city’s formative years as a farming town when more animals were more prevalent. However, now that times have changed, city staff sees little need for the commission (as it currently operates) while the AWCC believes their opinions aren’t being taken seriously. While city staff recommends the commission either change or be disbanded, some AWCC members would like to report directly to council. In May 2013, City Council set up a series of meetings between AWCC members and city staff and hired a mediator to facilitate the discussion between the two entities. It appears the talks have not worked. Police Chief Dan Brennan cited the commission’s lack of a veterinarian as reason for why the commission lacks leadership. By ordinance, the AWCC is supposed to have two veterinarians as members, they have not had a single one for more than five years. The lack of a single veterinarian on the commission, furthered the perception that the AWCC is simply a group of passionate volunteers without any professional background in handling animals. To that point, Rhonda Champion an AWCC member representing District Two, noted city staff has benefited from the knowledge of commission members.
Fight continues on Page 5