THE NUMBER of patients surviving Sepsis in Worcestershire has dramatically increased after a successful project in the county’s hospitals.
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is the life-threatening reaction to an infection, in which the body attacks its own organs and tissues.
After Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust made improving the survival rates of patients identified as having Sepsis a top clinical priority, the death rates from the condition have been significantly reduced to better than the national average.
There are around 260,000 cases of sepsis a year in England, with around 44,000 people dying every year as a result of the condition. Anyone can develop sepsis after an injury or minor infection, although some people are more vulnerable.
A new dedicated Sepsis nursing role was created to oversee clinical advice and staff training about the condition. Early symptoms of sepsis in older children and adults can include a high temperature or low body temperature, chills and shivering, confusion, cold or blotchy hands and feet, and not passing as much urine as normal.
Specialist IT improvements have also helped bring in line systems across Worcestershire’s hospitals so that staff can more easily and quickly report patients who have been identified as having Sepsis.
Patient information leaflets were produced to provide Sepsis survivors and those more at risk of developing Sepsis with information about the condition and its treatment as well as their rehabilitation and recovery.
Dr Mike McAlindon, clinical lead for the Sepsis Quality Improvement Project at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Sepsis is an important cause of death in people of all ages and is a major cause of avoidable mortality.
Thanks to the hard work of staff across our Trust we’ve managed to dramatically reduce the mortality from Sepsis over the past year.
“This is good news for patients as now they can be assured that if they come to hospital with Sepsis, they will receive a good level of care, giving them a better chance at survival.”
