National Sepsis Program – Phase 2

JUST ASK, COULD IT BE SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to any infection that progresses quickly and requires immediate attention. Know the signs and symptoms (one or all of the following may be present).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS

Rapid breathing

Rapid heart rate

Confusion, slurred speech or disorientation

Fever or shivering

Muscle pain

Not passing urine

Discoloured skin

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!

Early-stage sepsis:

Sufferers are generally unwell, may display one or all of the signs and symptoms, feel worse than when previously sick and there is concern
Contact healthdirect at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ OR Call 1800 022 222 (24 hours) and ask…could it be sepsis?

Later stage sepsis:

Sufferers are seriously unwell, likely to display significant changes in multiple signs and symptoms, feel like they might die and there is serious concern
CALL 000 Ambulance or if quicker go immediately to the closest Emergency Department and ask….could it be sepsis?

Key considerations:

If concerned get advice immediately
If seriously concerned get treatment immediately
Inflammation due to infection is normal but in sepsis the inflammation response is uncontrolled, it may start mildly but rapidly escalate to critical illness
Sepsis is difficult to recognise as it may not have an obvious cause, it can look like viral or bacterial illnesses such as flu, gastro or urinary tract infection
Trust your intuition…if it doesn’t feel right TAKE ACTION and always ask…could it be sepsis?

symptom checker Call 000

The George Institute/Sepsis Australia and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care are currently planning for the National Sepsis Program (Phase 2 ‘Extension’) that will build on the work achieved in the National Sepsis Program (Phase 1) which saw the launch of the national Sepsis Clinical care Standard. March 2024 is the planned commencement for the Phase 2 program will comprise of five key projects:

A targeted national public awareness campaign
Education and training resources for healthcare professionals
Coordinated sepsis care and post sepsis support for survivors and families.
Data collection tools for improvement
Improving recognition of sepsis in First Nation peoples

Program Governance will include the:

Sepsis Program Oversight Group
Consumer Advisory Group
Interjurisdictional Liaison Group (for consultation and distribution of information)
Project Teams (TBC)

Regular updates will be provided each month to keep you up to date.

In the meantime for more information see:

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/national-sepsis-program