World Sepsis Day took place this week, on Tuesday, September 13th and initiatives were carried out in all hospitals across the Saolta University Health Care Group to promote sepsis awareness amongst hospital staff, patients, relatives and members of the public. This day was marked this year in Mayo University Hospital (MUH ) and the improvements made in sepsis identification and treatment throughout the hospital were highlighted for patients and staff.
Sepsis is a common, time-dependant medical emergency. It can affect a person of any age, from any social background and can strike irrespective of any underlying good health or any concurrent medical conditions. International sepsis campaigns that have introduced and promoted an approach to sepsis care based on early recognition of sepsis with resuscitation and timely referral to critical care have reported reductions in mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock in the order of 20 to 30 per cent. (Department of Health 2014 ).
Commenting Liz Casey, A/Resuscitation and Early Warning System Training Officer at MUH said, “Sepsis is common and often deadly. It remains the primary cause of death from infection, despite advances in modern medicine like vaccines, antibiotics, and Intensive Care. We are highlighting it today here in hospital and providing information to patients, staff and the public”.
Promotional materials available include patient information leaflets, presentation of local audit reports and displays of sepsis management pathways for hospital staff. Hospital staff involved in promoting Sepsis Awareness Day in MUH, include the Early Warning Score and Sepsis Implementation Group, Infection Prevention and Control, Pharmacy, Emergency Department, Department of Anaesthesia and the Laboratory. Members of the public were encouraged to participate in the event by talking to staff about the signs of sepsis and what to do if they suspect sepsis.
