Sepsis Diagnosis Delays Still Endanger UK Patients
A new report from the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) spotlights ongoing risks to NHS patients because of late or missed sepsis diagnoses. The independent body reviewed cases, revealing problems that impact patient care and outcomes across England’s healthcare system.
Serious Concerns Raised
The HSSIB warns that the tardy diagnosis of sepsis continues to be a significant and urgent patient safety concern for NHS patients. The report, examining three specific cases, reveals instances where patients suffered severe harm or even death due to delayed or incorrect sepsis diagnoses. These findings highlight clinicians’ persistent challenges in promptly identifying sepsis.
Issues in Patient Care
The HSSIB’s report pinpointed ten areas needing improvement. These recommendations, based on the reviewed cases, have broader implications for the NHS. The issues include inconsistent referral paths, communication gaps, and failure to spot early warning signs such as new-onset confusion or suspected infection.
“These reports show a consistent pattern of issues around the early recognition and treatment of sepsis,”
—Melanie Ottewill, Senior Safety Investigator at the HSSIB
One critical aspect is the recognition of sepsis symptoms, which vary greatly. The report also indicates that timely treatment hinges on swift diagnosis. The UK Sepsis Trust states that around 48,000 deaths are linked to sepsis each year in the UK. The report emphasizes that listening to families who express concerns about their loved ones is vital.
Challenges in Diagnosis
The cases investigated involved patients with various infections, including urinary tract infections, abdominal pain, and diabetic foot infections. Two of the patients tragically died. The third faced amputation and a lengthy recovery period. The report stresses that there isn’t a single reliable diagnostic tool for sepsis.
For example, in one case, a lack of consistent referral processes and limited information exchange between hospitals caused delayed diagnosis. Another revealed that a direct escalation route for deteriorating patients was missing, and nurses hesitated to start a sepsis screen without confirmed infection signs.
The Sepsis Alliance has reported that early recognition and treatment of sepsis can significantly improve patient outcomes, reducing mortality rates by as much as 50%. (Sepsis Alliance Stats)
Need for Standardized Treatment
Dr. Ron Daniels, founder and chief medical officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, underscored the urgency of prompt diagnosis and treatment. He also called for a standardized treatment plan, a “sepsis pathway,” to ensure that patients receive optimal care from initial symptoms to diagnosis.
Annie Lennon is a medical journalist.
