Northern Health participated in World Sepsis Day on September 13, to raise awareness and reduce the worldwide burden of sepsis.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection damages its own organs and tissues.
Northern Health has tried to combat sepsis through establishing the step on sepsis project to promote the early recognition and appropriate treatment of patients at risk of developing or experiencing sepsis.
The project was introduced across the health service in 2013 as a quality improvement project to better care for patients presenting with or developing sepsis.
“The step on sepsis team conducts quarterly audits on the management of septic patients at Northern Health,” said Northern Health’s step on sepsis project coordinator Yasmin Sungkar.
“Award winning research abstracts have also been presented at interstate and local conferences, as well as at Northern Health research week to showcase the success of the step on sepsis project over these years.”
When left untreated, this process can lead to septic shock or even death.
Many of those who do survive sepsis can face lifelong consequences which can impact their day-to-day functioning.
According to the Global Sepsis Alliance, sepsis accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide each year. However, sepsis is known only to seven to 50 per cent of people depending on one’s country and education.
Since launching 10 years ago, the team has developed resources to assist staff in the management of these patients.
Gerald Lynch
