PLEASE share this film with others to help raise awareness about HAIs and Sepsis! http://www.facebook.com/ASilentEpidemic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibiG-gDXA0&feature;=plcp In August of 2008, I lost my father to a number of hospital-acquired/healthcare-associated infections including C. diff, MRSA, and pseudomonas. As I began my freshman year at Providence College the following week, I started doing research to learn more about what happened to my dad, and what I learned astonished me. HAIs infect approximately 1.7 million individuals annually in the United States alone, killing nearly 99,000 of those who become infected. I also learned that these infections are largely preventable through strict hand washing protocols, stringent disinfecting of healthcare environments, communication between healthcare professionals and patients, and the proper use of gowns, gloves, and antibiotics, as well as a number of other strategies. Another 200,000 people die every year due to sepsis, which is an illness where the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria. It is sometimes called “blood poisoning,” and is the body’s response to infection or injury, which can often be deadly. Sepsis can be caused by healthcare-associated infections, but also by a number of other things. Time is essential in dealing with sepsis, as early detection is essential in order to control the illness. Sepsis is the third leading cause of death in the world. Through my work with this project, as well as several others related to HAIs, I hope to make people more aware about what a serious issue this is, and what can be done to prevent it from happening to them. "A Silent Epidemic" is not in any way an attack on the medical field; it is rather a calling to all people that there are a number of things that can be done to prevent HAIs if we work together. I know that there will still be people out there who disagree, but I hope that the majority of those individuals will still take the necessary steps to prevent this from happening to others. Having to watch my dad die as a result of something that could have been prevented had we known more has been the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life. Working on this project has definitely been a challenge, as it forced me to relive the horrors of the six weeks my dad spent in intensive care. Every time I wanted to call it quits, I reminded myself that if I could help one person to avoid experiencing what I did, then it would be worth all the sleepless nights I spent on this project. If there is one thing I learned from the eighteen years I was lucky enough to have with my dad, it’s that you need to stand up for what you believe in, even if that means doing so alone. While I have lost a number of friends over the past few years as a result of my dedication to raising awareness about HAIs, I’ve also been fortunate enough to have a number of other people in my life, both new and old, who believe in and support this cause. I truly appreciate everyone who took part in making this film. Not only did all of your help and courageousness make this film possible, but you have all taught me that there are good people out there, and have filled my life with the happiness that was lacking for such a long time after I lost my dad. I have to thank two of my professors, Fr. Ken Gumbert and Dr. Mary O’Keeffe, for allowing me to work on projects aimed at raising awareness about HAIs. PLEASE share the link to this film with others so that more people can become aware. If nothing else, please take my story, and the information provided in this film and use it to help yourself and your loved ones. If we work together as patients, healthcare professionals, and advocates, I truly believe we can bring an end to this silent epidemic. "A Silent Epidemic" won First Place at the 2012 Providence College Student Film Festival. For more information about this film and to contact me, please visit http://www.facebook.com/ASilentEpidemic, or email me at EmCroke@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from viewers, as I hope to do more with this film in terms of making a longer version with more stories and information. Don't forget to click "HD" to view the best quality video!