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The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) warn New Yorkers of all ages about the risks of sepsis, a severe and life-threatening, yet often preventable, condition. While anyone can develop sepsis, older adults are among those at highest risk.
According to Sepsis Alliance, sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It occurs when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Most cases of sepsis start before a patient goes to the hospital. In fact, an estimated 87% of sepsis cases occur in the community.
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
"During Sepsis Awareness Month, it is critical to know the signs and symptoms, many of which can appear similar to the flu or RSV," NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said. "Unfortunately, with sepsis, you cannot wait because undiagnosed sepsis can be life-threatening in a matter of hours. If you see the signs and symptoms of sepsis – such as fever, extreme pain, high heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion and clammy or sweaty skin – immediately seek medical help. While we've come a long way in raising awareness about this very serious condition, most people are still unfamiliar with sepsis, which claims a life every 90 seconds."
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "Sepsis, a serious infection in someone's bloodstream, is a life-threatening medical emergency. People who are older, very young, pregnant or have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk. As we recognize Sepsis Awareness Month, I urge all New Yorkers to be aware of the symptoms associated with sepsis and act fast to seek medical treatment."
According to NYSDOH, severe sepsis and septic shock impact approximately 73,000 adults and 600 children in New York each year. Nationally, at least 1.7 million adults will develop sepsis. At least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis die during their hospitalization or are discharged to hospice. One in three people who dies in a hospital had sepsis during that hospitalization. Among other facts provided by Sepsis Alliance:
• Every 90 seconds someone in the U.S. dies of sepsis.• Sepsis claims the lives of more children than cancer – 18 children each day.• Sepsis is the primary driver of readmission to a hospital (30-day readmissions).
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop sepsis, NYSDOH says those at higher risk include:
• Adults 65 years of age or older.• Children younger than one year of age.• People with weakened immune systems.• People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, or kidney disease.• People with recent severe illness or hospitalization.• People who have had sepsis before.

How to identify Sepsis
It is crucial you get medical care right away if you have an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a person with sepsis might have one or more signs or symptoms:
• High heart rate or weak pulse• Confusion or disorientation• Extreme pain or discomfort• Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold• Shortness of breath• Clammy or sweaty skin

Sepsis and New York State
In September 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed September as Sepsis Awareness Month in New York State. New York State has long led in sepsis prevention and intervention efforts, including Rory's Regulations. In response to the tragic death of Rory Staunton in 2012, New York State was the first in the nation to establish a statewide mandate requiring all hospitals to adopt sepsis protocols. The protocols were designed to improve rapid identification and treatment of sepsis. Sepsis awareness training is also mandated as part of the Infection Control and Barrier Precautions training required of certain licensed professionals in New York.

https://www.endsepsis.org/about-rory-staunton/

Additionally, since 2014, the NYS Sepsis Care Improvement Initiative has worked with hospitals to: improve early detection of severe sepsis and septic shock; initiate timely interventions and treatment; and reduce overall death from sepsis. This effort by NYSDOH and New York State hospitals saved more than 16,000 lives between 2015 and 2019.

NYSOFA and Partners Launch Nationwide Partnership for Sepsis and Aging
Earlier this year, NYSOFA, Sepsis Alliance, the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA), and the Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) launched a new nationwide organization called The Partnership for Sepsis and Aging (TPSA) which is designed to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of sepsis to save lives and mitigate the negative and life-changing outcomes of sepsis.
TPSA is free to join. Individuals or organizations who sign up will be asked to use some of the many free resources available to regularly educate the community on the signs and symptoms of sepsis, regardless of age. Download the TPSA one-pager and visit the TPSA website to sign up.
Home Care Association of New York State President and CEO Al Cardillo said, "Sepsis is among the most devastating medical emergencies. The risk is especially high for individuals with intensive needs who receive home care. As nearly 90% of sepsis cases originate in the home and community, home health intervention is vital in the effort to prevent, identify and collaboratively treat this condition. The Home Care Association of New York State stands steadfast with Sepsis Alliance, END SEPSIS: The Legacy of Rory Staunton, the New York State Office for the Aging and Department of Health, and all system partners in the fight to overcome this threat to health and life."
Sepsis Alliance President and CEO Thomas Heymann said, "Sepsis Alliance is working at the national level to save lives and reduce suffering from sepsis. We know that older adults are at increased risk of infections and sepsis, and we are committed to partnering with all states to protect their older adult populations."
Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve said, "Sepsis identification and treatment are paramount in preventing loss of life and function for individuals of all ages. This partnership will raise awareness on how to identify the signs and symptoms of this deadly condition and will save lives across the country. The Association on Aging in New York is proud to partner on this initiative and encourages wide participation from professionals and community members."

At 7:38 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, Penn Yan Police Officers were dispatched to 127 Franklin St. for a report that a young family member had arrived home to find two people deceased. Officers entered the residence and found a man and a woman dead from gunshot wounds.
Police Chief Thomas Dunham has identified the two as husband and wife, Michael A. Personale, 37, and Ashley M. Manaco, 38. Personale appears to have been shot five times, with wounds to the torso and head. Investigators believe Manaco died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Currently police are treating this as a murder-suicide and are continuing to investigate what led to the incident. Police say a .38 caliber revolver was found at the scene, but its ownership is unknown. Manaco does not appear to have a permit, and Personale had a prior felony conviction, rendering the presence of a handgun in his home illegal.
Both bodies have been taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsies, and officers are working with local agencies to provide support to those effected by the incident. Dunham says the young family member who found the couple is being cared for by family friends.
By tragic coincidence, this case occurred right next door to the last murder case in Penn Yan. Last year, officers were called to 125 Franklin St. at 2:37 p.m. Aug. 29, 2023 after a home health aide arrived and found Jane Salyer, 89, dead on the bathroom floor. Her husband, Ronald Salyer, 89, was also found on the bathroom floor, alive but in poor health. Ronald suffered from dementia and had killed his wife by strangulation using a bath towel. Days later, Ronald himself died.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or are experiencing another type of crisis there is help. Dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they have counselors available to assist you. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, counselors are available for you.

Car Seat Check Event Saturday
PENN YAN - The Child Passenger Safety Seat Program, sponsored by the Yates County Sheriff's Office along with the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, will be conducting a Car Seat Check Event Saturday, Sept. 21 during National Child Passenger Safety Week. Parents/Guardians and Caregivers can get their current seats inspected, properly adjusted or replaced by certified car seat technicians. No appointment is necessary. Just arrive between 9 a.m. and noon at the Penn Yan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 205 North Ave., Penn Yan.This is the last scheduled car seat check event of the year. If you are unable to attend this event, contact the Yates County Sheriff's Office at 315-536-4438 to schedule a date and time that works best for you.

Includes reports from Yates County Sheriff's Office, Penn Yan Police Department, and New York State Police. These reports do not indicate guilt, only that someone has been charged with an offence. The term "arrested" does not always mean someone was held in jail.

Penn Yan Police Department arrested KYLE KENNON-BROWN, 42, of Penn Yan, following an incident Feb. 10 when he had invited an person with whom he had an order of protection against, to remain at his residence. He then called law enforcement regarding the order of protection violation against that person. Kennon-Brown was charged with 2nd degree Obstructing Governmental Administration and was released with an appearance ticket for Penn Yan Village Court.

MICHELE A. SHELDON, 73, of Penn Yan was arrested by Penn Yan Police Sept. 6 after police observed her vehicle swerving into the oncoming lane on Main Street. Police initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle then drove over a curb on Main Street. She showed several signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests. At the Yates County Jail, a chemical breath test which revealed her blood alcohol level to be .09%. Sheldon was charged with Common Law DWI, DWI with a .08% BAC or Greater, and Failure to Keep Right, and was released with tickets to appear in Penn Yan Village Court later.

JOHN J. PHELAN, 60, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, was arrested Sept. 7 by N.Y. State Troopers in Urbana for drunk driving. He was charged with misdemeanor 1st Offense DWI, and was held for Arraignment Court in Bath.

WILLIAM PRYLL, 52, of Pulteney, was arrested Sept. 9 by State Troopers after he allegedly exposed his genitals in public in Hammondsport. He was charged with misdemeanor Intentional Public Lewdness, and was later released with an appearance ticket for Urbana Town Court.

RAUL J. RAMOS, 45, of Bath, was arrested by State Troopers on a charged of Petit larceny in Hammondsport. He will appear later in Urbana Town Court.
DWI MOTORCYCLE CRASH - At 5:31 p.m. Sept. 7, Yates County Sheriff Deputies, State Troopers, Dundee Fire & Ambulance, and Yates County Ambulance responded to a motorcycle accident with injuries on Route 14 at Dundee-Glenora Road. Investigation revealed BRIAN M. JONES, 48, of Millport, was turning south off Dundee-Glenora Road, lost control of his motorcycle, and crashed on the west side of the road. His passenger, HEIDI JONES, of Millport, sustained minor injuries to her leg and arm and was taken to Schuyler Hospital for treatment. Brian Jones sustained facial injuries and was taken by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Deputies interviewed Jones at the hospital and charged him with Common Law DWI and Moved from Lane Unsafely. Investigation is ongoing.

TYLER J. MANSFIELD, 31, of Rushville, was arrested Sept. 11 by Yates County Deputies following a domestic incident the night prior on Rubin Drive in Rushville. Mansfield was charged with felony 3rd degree Criminal Mischief and taken to the Yates County Jail to await Arraignment Court. State Troopers assisted in the arrest.

NELSON R. MULLEN, 57, of Bath, was arrested Sept. 12 by State Troopers for a larceny reported Sept. 5 in Milo. He was charged with 3rd Degree Grand Larceny exceeding $3,000 (class D felony). He was released with an appearance ticket for Milo Town Court.

CAROL L. VANDERPOEL, 54, of Dundee, was arrested Sept. 13 by State Troopers for drunk driving. She was charged with 1st Offense Common Law DWI and 1st Offense Aggravated DWI with a .18% BAC or greater, and was later released with an appearance Starkey Town Court.

TWO-CAR CRASH - At 5:50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, Yates County Sheriff's Deputies, Penn Yan Fire and Ambulance, and the Yates County Accident Investigation Unit were dispatched to the intersection of Route 54 and Pre-Emption Road for a reported two-car crash. Investigation revealed that GUIDO M. CANNATA, 68, of Cicero, failed to yield the right of way at the stop sign on Pre-Emption, and struck the vehicle of BRIAN J. DILLON, 36, of Dresden, traveling west on Route 54. Dillon was taken to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital for neck injuries, as was his passenger for complaints of back pain. The Accident Investigation Unit's investigation is continuing.

KEUKA PARK —The New York State Education Department has approved Keuka College's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program to be offered online, opening the program to aspiring nurse practitioners nationwide. Classes began this semester.
With the nation's aging population rapidly increasing, the demand for senior nurse practitioners has never been greater. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 or older is expected to grow by more than 40% by 2050, rising from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million.
"There is a dire need for (nurses) who will care for the aging population," Dr. Ann Kriebel-Gasparro, president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, told the DailyNurse in June. This need is particularly urgent in regions like the Finger Lakes, where the population is aging, and healthcare providers are scarce.
The state's approval comes on the heels of the AGPCNP program's most recent success: a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam.
"Our online AGPCNP program is tailored to meet the needs of today's nursing professionals, many of whom work outside the traditional nine-to-five schedule," said Dr. Elizabeth Russo '98, director of the College's graduate nursing programs. "This format allows them to complete coursework in a way that best fits their busy lives, without sacrificing the quality of their education."
The program is open to nurses with both bachelor's and master's degrees. While most coursework is completed online, students will also participate in a weekend on-campus immersion each semester, where they'll gain hands-on experience and engage with faculty and peers. Additionally, students will have access to a broad network of clinical professionals, allowing them to complement their academic learning with practical experience.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be fully prepared to take the national certification examination for Advanced Practice, either through the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
For information about Keuka College's online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, visit keuka.edu/aoe/nurse-practitioner.