Could It be Sepsis? A Simple Question That Could Save Lives

What Is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life threatening condition. The Sepsis Trust explain:

"Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons we don’t yet understand, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. Yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics."

The facts and figures on sepsis make uncomfortable reading. It is estimated that there are 52,000 deaths from sepsis each year. Now here's a shocking fact: that death toll is greater than the number of deaths from bowel cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Yes, you read that correctly: bowel cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer: COMBINED. That's about one death every five minutes. during the time that you are watching the latest episode of your favourite soap opera, six people will have died from sepsis. 

Caremark Thanet's sepsis awareness conference 14 November 2019

Around 25,000 children are affected by sepsis each year. It is estimated that about 25% of sepsis survivors are left living with life changing conditions. Sepsis is also a concern in the workplace.

Sepsis is sometimes referred to as septicaemia, or blood poisoning. The Sepsis Trust list some of the fairly common conditions from which sepsis can result: "a chest infection causing pneumonia, a urine infection in the bladder, a problem in the abdomen, such as a burst ulcer or a hole in the bowel, an infected cut or bite, a wound from trauma or surgery,  a leg ulcer or cellulitis. Sepsis can be caused by a huge variety of different germs, like streptococcus, e-coli, MRSA or C diff. Most cases are caused by common bacteria, which normally don’t make us ill."

The Sepsis Alliance, an American organisation say that: "Mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment." There is, however, some good news. Prompt treatment is essential. It is recognised that with early detection and treatment the outlook is good. International guidelines suggest that treatment should be started within one hour of sepsis being suspected. Although sepsis is a medical emergency, prompt treatment with antibiotics and fluids is very effective.

The Signs of Sepsis

With adults the following are the symptoms of sepsis. In the early stages, these signs can be confused with the symptoms of flu:

Slurred speech or confusion

Extreme shivering or muscle pain

Passing no urine (in 18 hours or a day)

Severe breathlessness

I know something is badly wrong with me

Skin that's mottled, bluish or very pale.

Note how the initial letters spell out the word sepsis.

With children, The Sepsis Trust advise that the following symptoms indicate sepsis. The child:

Is breathing very fast

Has a ‘fit’ or convulsion

Looks mottled, bluish, or pale

Has a rash that does not fade when you press it

Is very lethargic or difficult to wake

Feels abnormally cold to touch

Where a child is under five, you should also be alerted to sepsis if he or she:

Is not feeding

Is vomiting repeatedly

Has not passed urine for 12 hours

Caremark Thanet: Could it be Sepsis?

On Thursday 14 November, Caremark Thanet held a sepsis awareness conference. The conference was held in memory of Ellie Lunn, the daughter of Caremark Thanet's Registered Manager, who tragically lost her life to sepsis at the age of just 11 months in 2015.

The conference was very well attended. Ellie's heartbreaking story was told by Xana Welch, the Registered Manager of Caremark Dover. Gemma Rawling and Angela Hall from the NHS Outreach Team spoke about the signs, symptoms and treatment of sepsis. Barbara Hall told her own moving, but ultimately uplifting, story of how she survived sepsis -  three times. Rob Mercer from the South East Ambulance Service, explained how over the last 10 years the awareness, detection and treatment of sepsis as improved enormously: medical professionals are now trained to "THINK SEPSIS". 

Caremark Thanet's epsis awareness conference was held in memory of Ellie Lunn

If there was one clear message that came from the conference it was, as The Sepsis Trust Advise: "just ask, could it be sepsis?".  Asking that question of a medical professional if you suspect that someone might have sepsis could save his or her life. Caremark Thanet, Ellie's mother, Kerry, and her family want to raise awareness of this awful condition. Increased awareness will increase confidence to ask the question: could it be sepsis? Asking that question will save lives.

Caremark Thanet, Kerry and her family intend to continue the campaign to raise public awareness of sepsis in Ellie's memory. If you would like more information please contact Caremark Thanet on 01843 235910 and ask for Xana Welch.

Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.