Staff at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are marking World Sepsis Day with a series of training and information events aimed at staff, patients and the public.
It is thought that the number of deaths caused by sepsis could be significantly reduced by improving the rates of early recognition. Throughout the week, there will be a number of different initiatives in place to help raise awareness of sepsis amongst staff and visitors to the hospital including a ‘Sepsis and the Health Care Support Worker’ event and a full day of sepsis master-classes. New information will be delivered to all hospital wards around the treatment of sepsis within the Trust and how to ensure that, while treatment remains effective, antibiotics are not over-prescribed.
Sepsis is a condition, where a person’s immune system goes into overdrive, in reaction to an infection. Normally, with an infection, your immune system will cause a number of biological processes, including swelling in tissues around the infection, however when a person develops sepsis, this swelling can spread to major organs and cause lasting damage, or death. If caught early, sepsis can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics.
World Sepsis Day, on 13th September, is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite and raise awareness around sepsis, which every year accounts for at least 8 million deaths (worldwide).
Gordon Wood, Medical Director at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, said: “World Sepsis Day is a great opportunity to get information out, both amongst our staff and the general public, about what sepsis is and how to treat it.”
“Because the symptoms can develop very quickly, it’s important that our staff are properly trained on how to screen patients, who are at risk. We are keen to improve our care and treatment wherever possible and World Sepsis Day is a brilliant opportunity to reflect on this particular condition.”
The hospital is also encouraging local residents to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of sepsis. Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection, and symptoms can vary significantly. In general, however, if people have a suffered a wound or infection recently, and are presenting with the following symptoms they should seek medical help:
- a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature
- chills and shivering
- a fast heartbeat
- fast breathing
If you are unsure about your symptoms or where to go, call NHS 111. For full information about the symptoms of sepsis, visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Causes.aspx
Figure sourced from Global Sepsis Alliance
