Portlaoise hospital launches campaign to raise awareness of sepsis

Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has launched a campaign to highlight the signs and symptoms of the life-threatening condition, sepsis. 

Activities taking place in the hospital throughout the week included public information stands and staff awareness events promoting the ‘Sepsis 6’ which is the national framework for the treatment of Sepsis and highlighting mandatory training for clinical staff. 

Sepsis requires urgent medical attention and can hide behind any infection, at any age, making it hard to detect. There are around 13,000 cases of sepsis reported in hospital each year and 1 in 5 people who develop sepsis die from it. As symptoms of sepsis can often be mistaken for something else, the HSE is advising people who have an infection and are not getting better to ask ‘Could it be sepsis?”

A new HSE public information campaign launched recently in collaboration with patient advocates to highlight the signs and symptoms of the life-threatening condition, sepsis. It comes as new research* shows a high awareness of sepsis among the public, but a low knowledge of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

Dr John Connaughton, Clinical Director at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise said, “Sepsis is a cause of significant illness, some of which is preventable. This campaign aims to help people to recognise the signs and symptoms of sepsis as we know that early treatment can lead to better outcomes. It is very important that all our clinical staff undertake the HSE mandatory training on Sepsis management. We continue to work with colleagues across our hospital, providing sepsis training and resources for the effective management of this life-threatening condition. ” 

Signs and symptoms of sepsis in adults (including maternity) are:

S Slurred speech, new confusion, too sick to communicate, drowsiness

E Extreme shivering, muscle aches, fever

P Has not passed urine in the last 12 hours and does not feel like passing urine

S Shortness of breath, lips tinged with blue, feels like your heart is racing, dizzy when you sit or stand

I I feel like I'm going to die

S Skin mottled and discoloured, new rash that is still visible when pressed on with a clear glass (glass test).

The signs and symptoms of sepsis in children are:

Very fast breathing
Fits or convulsions
Mottled skin (irregular colour) bluish or pale
A rash that does not fade when you press it
Unusually sleepy and difficult to wake
Unusually cold when you touch them
Has had no pee for more than 12 hours

Sepsis leaflets at www.healthpromotion.ie for order or download.