Call for urgent action to tackle threat of sepsis

A study by the Health Service Ombudsman found shortcomings in initial assessment and delay in emergency treatment which have led to missed opportunities to save lives.

The report, published to mark World Sepsis Day today, focused on 10 cases investigated by the Ombudsman where patients did not receive the treatment they urgently needed – and in every case died.

It found that care failings seem to occur mainly in the first few hours after arrival in hospital, when rapid diagnosis and simple treatment can be critical to the chances of survival.

Recurring shortcomings included lack of timely history and examination on presentation, failure to recognise the severity of the illness, delays in administering treatment, and delay in source control of infection.

Health Service Ombudsman Julie Mellor said: “In the cases in our report, sadly, all patients died. In some of these cases, with better care and treatment, they may have survived. It is time for the NHS to act to save lives by improving the care of patients with sepsis.

“We have worked closely with NHS England, Nice, UK Sepsis Trust and Royal Colleges to find solutions to the issues identified in our report. ”

Sepsis is an overreaction to infection by the body’s immune system, which can lead to widespread inflammation – or swelling – and blood clotting.