Brief outline by Jason Morris

Clinical Team Leader London Ambulance Service

SEPSIS

WHAT IS SEPSIS?

• Sepsis is a life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis leads to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.• Sepsis is caused by the way the body responds to germs, such as bacteria,

getting into your body. The infection may have started anywhere in a sufferer’s body, and may be only in one part of the body or it may be widespread. Sepsis can occur following chest or water infections, problems in the abdomen like burst ulcers, or simple skin injuries like cuts and bites.• Sepsis can be caused by a huge variety of different bugs, most cases being

caused by common bacteria which we all come into contact with every day without them making us ill. Sometimes, though, the body responds abnormally to these infections, and causes sepsis

Different types of sepsis

•Many people can have ‘mild’ sepsis which can make them feel ill but doesn’t require treatment in hospital. Mild sepsis can result from chest infections, urine infections and other minor illnesses.

• However, other patients develop severe sepsis, which means they become seriously ill and need hospital treatment straight away

Why does sepsis matter?

• Sepsis is one of our biggest killers! Shocking, since so few people are aware of it, but sepsis claims 37,000 lives every year in the UK and costs the NHS £2.5 billion a year. In comparison, breast cancer claims less than 8,000 lives a year.

• By helping us to ensure the reliable delivery of basic sepsis care (the ‘Sepsis Six’), you can help us to save 12,500 lives every year and reduce costs by an estimated £160 million

How would I know if it was sepsis?

Early signs of a ‘flu-like illness, chest infection, diarrhoea and vomiting or inability to eat and drink,

Together with one of the symptoms of sepsis

should be taken seriously.

Our Symptom Checker card gives a list of 6 symptoms to look out for

How would I know if I had sepsis?

1. Are any 2 of the following present?

•Temperature > 38.30C or < 360C•Respiratory rate > 20 per minute•Heart rate > 90 per minute•Acute confusion/ reduced conscious level•Glucose > 7.7 mmol

2. Could this be a severe infection?

•For example:•Pneumonia•Urinary Tract Infection•Abdominal pain or distension•Meningitis•Cellulitis/ septic arthritis/ infected wound

IF NO Sepsis not present Treat to standard protocols

YES TO THE ABOVE TWO 3. Is any red flag present?

• Systolic B.P < 90 mmHg• Lactate > 2 mmol/l• Heart rate > 130 per minute• Respiratory rate > 25 per minute• Oxygen saturations < 91%• Responds only to voice or pain/ unresponsive• Purpuric rash

ANY CALL 999 AND STATE RED FLAG SEPSIS

OBSERVATIONS- GOLD STANDARD

• BP machine £90

• Finger Probe (SPO2) £100

• Thermometer £40

Total all less than £300 pounds

FURTHER INFOSEPSISTRUST.ORG