Posted: 11/07/2024
Sepsis is the body’s response to infection. It develops when the immune system overreacts to an infection or injury and attacks its own tissues and organs. The UK Sepsis Trust estimates that 48,000 people die each year from sepsis-related illnesses, and states that, sadly, thousands of these are preventable.
In late 2023, the UK’s Health Ombudsman published a report on the problems with sepsis diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, the results were incredibly similar to a report conducted 10 years prior in 2013, leading to the conclusion that the same mistakes are still being made. Both reports detailed that sepsis deaths were largely due to patients not being diagnosed or treated fast enough. There had been disappointing progress due to poor staff training, inadequate communication, poor record-keeping, and opportunities for follow-up care being missed.
National attention was drawn to sepsis again last month, through Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay’s return to the House of Commons, after losing all his limbs to sepsis. Mackinlay’s case is a compelling reminder of the devastating impact of sepsis, and the significance of public awareness of the symptoms, as well as the need for prompt, life-saving treatment.
Promising developments have been made in the world of infection, which may help reduce the instances of sepsis, as well as helping treat it. The urgency of tackling the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infection and sepsis was a focal point of the G7 and G20 Health Summit held at the World Health Organisation’s Geneva headquarters recently.
The £8 million Longitude Prize has recently been awarded to a team dedicated to developing rapid diagnostic tests to ensure the timely and appropriate use of antibiotics. The groundbreaking test reveals whether an infection is bacterial within 15 minutes and can indicate which antibiotics will help to combat this infection within 45 minutes. If medical personnel can quickly identify infections and tailor treatments to each patient, this may significantly reduce the number of sepsis cases, as well as their severity.
Researchers are also exploring the use of biomarkers and AI to improve the treatment and diagnosis of sepsis. Biomarkers are biological molecules that provide measurable indicators of the presence or severity of disease. By identifying the specific biomarkers of sepsis, earlier diagnosis may be possible, and personalised treatment plans can be developed. Artificial intelligence (AI) may also be able to assist in the fight against sepsis. It was recently reported that AI may be able to help doctors to use blood tests to detect signs of sepsis earlier.
Victoria Johnson, associate in the clinical negligence team at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “Some of the recent developments in diagnostic tests and treatment are very promising. However, it is still vital that lessons are learnt from cases where sepsis diagnosis is missed, or treatment is delayed or inadequate. Clinicians need to recognise the clinical signs and symptoms of potential sepsis for the benefits of the new technology to be realised.”
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