‘Urgent safety risk’ due to deadly infection being ignored by NHS, charity warns
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Early diagnosis of sepsis faces ‘ongoing challenges’
- The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has identified "ongoing challenges" in the early diagnosis of sepsis, labelling it an "urgent and persistent safety risk" in the UK.
- HSSIB's reports detail three cases where patients suffered severe harm or death due to delayed sepsis recognition, citing issues such as delayed medication, lack of doctor capacity, and inadequate patient transfers.
- A recurring concern highlighted by HSSIB is that family members are often not listened to when they express worries about a loved one's deteriorating condition, which can delay critical interventions.
- Experts, including the UK Sepsis Trust, advocate for swift diagnosis, consistent public awareness of symptoms, and the implementation of a standardised "sepsis pathway" to improve patient outcomes.
- NHS England states it is supporting initiatives like Early Warning Systems, Martha's Rule, and patient wellness questionnaires to aid in early deterioration detection and empower patients and their families to raise concerns.