Tackling sepsis – the ‘not so hidden killer’

Sepsis, or blood poisoning, is a reaction to an infection in which the body attacks its own organs and tissues. If not identified and treated quickly, it can lead rapidly to organ failure and death, as well as leaving thousands of survivors with life-changing disabilities. Since April 2015 the number of people screened for sepsis has significantly increased, and it is now being diagnosed and treated quicker than ever before. The profile of this ‘hidden killer’ has been significantly raised on the political and media agenda, while the Department of Health has increased its focus on the problem, with a succession of initiatives. However, there is still much more work to be done to reduce preventable deaths from this devastating condition. 

“We are now talking about sepsis as the ‘not so hidden killer’. We are seeing a heightened public awareness, around sepsis, but I will not rest until it is a household word,” said Dr Ron Daniels, clinical advisor to NHS England and CEO of the UK Sepsis Trust. Speaking at the Infection Prevention and Control 2017 conference, in London, he highlighted an example of a husband and father-of-two, who died from sepsis after missed opportunities to intervene, having presented with severe symptoms to various health professionals following a vasectomy operation. 

Dr Daniels said: “We have to listen to patients, and listen to them earlier,” and this will require dropping “our professional arrogance.” While the original infection may not have been avoidable, the patient’s death in this instance could have been prevented – there were many opportunities to rescue him, Dr Daniels pointed out.