Sepsis

World Sepsis Day on September 13 serves as an annual reminder of a global health crisis, but for those of us on the front lines of aged care, the fight against sepsis is a daily reality. Sepsis is not a distant threat; it is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, responsible for an estimated 11 million deaths in a single year, which accounts for a staggering 20% of all global deaths. It is a condition that demands our constant vigilance, deep understanding, and swift, decisive action. This is especially true in aged care facilities, where we care for one of the most vulnerable populations.

It is crucial to understand that sepsis is not the infection itself. Instead, sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme and unregulated response to an infection. An infection from any source—whether it's a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, a skin wound, an abdominal infection or from another source, such as dental, minor injuries or surgical procedure—can trigger this devastating chain reaction.

Instead of fighting the infection locally, the body’s immune system overreacts, triggering a large, widespread inflammatory response. This systemic reaction, intended to protect, ultimately damages the body’s own tissues and organs. Without prompt treatment, this can quickly cause tissue damage, multiple organ failure, septic shock, and death.

While anyone can develop sepsis from any infection, residents in our care are at a markedly higher risk. Most individuals who develop sepsis have at least one underlying medical condition, which is common in aged care. The specific risk factors that come together in our facilities include:

One of the biggest challenges in aged care is that sepsis can be incredibly deceptive. Its initial presentation is often subtle and may be mistaken for normal signs of aging or a simple infection. Importantly, typical infection symptoms like fever are often missing in older people. This requires us to stay alert and watch for any sudden, unexplained changes in a resident’s condition.

Understanding the stages of sepsis is key to appreciating the need for speed.

It's important to look for a cluster of symptoms. While you don't need to have all of them, the presence of several should raise concern.

If you observe any sudden, unexplained change in a resident's condition—such as worsening dementia, extreme lethargy, unresponsiveness, or an unexplained fall—treat it as though it could be sepsis. If a resident with a known infection declines further, always ask yourself: ‘Could it be sepsis?’

When it comes to sepsis, every moment counts. Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate clinical management are vital to increasing survival chances. Treatment is most effective when initiated as soon as possible.

The foundation of rapid intervention is the "Sepsis Six" bundle—a set of six essential actions that should be carried out within the first hour of recognising suspected sepsis. These steps are a priority for every healthcare professional.

1. Provide Oxygen: Administer high-flow oxygen to maintain target saturation levels and support organ function.
2. Take Blood Cultures: Prior to administering antibiotics, collect blood cultures to identify the specific pathogen responsible for the infection.
3. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately: Do not wait for culture results. Use intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics to quickly combat the most probable bacterial causes.
4. Administer Intravenous Fluids: Initiate fluid resuscitation using intravenous fluids to support blood pressure and ensure proper perfusion to vital organs.
5. Measure Blood Lactate: A blood lactate level is a vital indicator of organ dysfunction and the severity of sepsis.
6. Measure Urine Output: Accurately monitor and record urine output to assess kidney function, which is often one of the first organs to be affected.

Antimicrobials, especially antibiotics, are essential for treating infections that can lead to sepsis. However, the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a major challenge. Sepsis acquired in healthcare environments is often caused by drug-resistant pathogens, which can cause a swift deterioration in a patient's health. Patients with resistant pathogens have a greater risk of dying in hospitals.

This highlights the significance of two key principles:

The most effective way to prevent sepsis is to stop infections before they start. As healthcare workers in aged care, we have a strong ability to lower the risk of sepsis through careful and proactive care. Key prevention strategies include:

• Meticulous Infection Control: This is non-negotiable. It includes strict adherence to hand hygiene, the use of aseptic techniques for all procedures, and thorough cleaning of equipment and the environment.

For those who survive, the battle might not end there. Many residents can experience long-lasting physical, psychological, and emotional effects known as post-sepsis syndrome. This can persist for months and may include symptoms like severe muscle and joint pain, extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, panic attacks, trouble concentrating, and loss of confidence. Awareness of this syndrome is essential for providing comprehensive, long-term support to our residents' post-sepsis.


A Shared Global Mission
The work you do each day in your facility contributes to a global effort. Combating sepsis is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global health priority and is crucial for meeting Sustainable Development Goals related to lowering maternal and child mortality and improving the quality of care. Your dedication directly supports this worldwide mission.

Sepsis is a formidable adversary, especially in aged care settings. Its subtle onset in older adults requires a high level of clinical suspicion and vigilance from every member of the care team. Recognising the subtle signs is the first and most vital step in a swift, coordinated response that can save lives.

By implementing practices such as routine screening, maintaining strict infection control, and being ready to activate the "Sepsis Six" bundle at a moment's notice, we can significantly enhance outcomes for our residents. Remember, with sepsis, every minute counts. Your proactive care, keen observational skills, and prompt action are the most powerful tools we have in the fight against this silent killer.

World Sepsis Day 2025 – Tools to Support Your Sepsis Protocols

On September 13, we join the global health community in commemorating World Sepsis Day, a vital reminder of the urgent need to raise awareness, prevent, and respond to this life-threatening condition.

This year’s campaign, led by the Global Sepsis Alliance, emphasises “5 Facts x 5 Actions”. It highlights five key messages about the global impact of sepsis and five steps that every health system and facility can take to save lives.

5 Facts About Sepsis

Sepsis is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming a life every 3 seconds.

It disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at greatest risk.

Most deaths from sepsis can be prevented with infection control and early detection.

Despite its significance, only a small number of countries have established sepsis policies.

An enhanced sepsis response is essential to achieving global health and pandemic preparedness targets.

5 Actions to Strengthen the Sepsis Response

Call for prioritising and funding sepsis response efforts at both national and local levels.

Develop sepsis protocols and ensure staff are appropriately trained.

Support research, innovation, and sharing resources.

Raise awareness of this urgent emergency.

Embed sepsis prevention and treatment into pandemic and emergency response plans

Your Facility Challenge

We challenge all facilities to review and discuss their current sepsis procedures and protocols with their teams. Consider:

Are staff confident in recognising the early signs of sepsis?

Do you have clear escalation and communication pathways in place?

Is your sepsis response in line with the latest guidelines?

To support this, we are providing two practical IPS tools:

The IPS Sepsis Flowchart – a clear decision-support guide for screening and escalation.

The IPS SBAR Tool for Sepsis – a structured communication method to ensure accurate and consistent handover.

By dedicating time to World Sepsis Day to raise awareness and refine protocols, we can work together to reduce preventable deaths and improve patient outcomes across all care settings.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to patient safety.

Warm regards,

Dianne, Senior Clinical Consultant, IPS

How would your facility cope with a case of sepsis? Have this information readily available to care teams and incorporate it into training scenarios. Prevent a case of sepsis before it happens!

Further information can be obtained from the HUB or EVE. If you would rather, contact our friendly team at support@infectionprevention.care

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Take advantage of our expertise in IPC. See the HUB for policies, resources and courses relating to this very important subject. Ask EVE for a quick answer to your question.