Download What is Sepsis?

Brief outline by
Jason Morris
Clinical Team Leader
London Ambulance Service
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 INFO
SEPSISTRUST.ORG