Overview

• HSSIB warns doctors and nurses remain slow to spot sepsis, classifying its recognition as an urgent, persistent safety risk
• Three case reports involving patients named only as Barbara, Ged and Lorna reveal delays of up to 30 hours in diagnosing sepsis, causing two deaths and one leg amputation
• UK Sepsis Trust estimates up to 10,000 of the 48,000 annual sepsis deaths in the UK are avoidable and says performance has slipped since a 2016–19 screening incentive ended
• NHS England has introduced Early Warning Systems, Martha’s Rule and patient wellness questionnaires to improve rapid identification and response for deteriorating patients
• Health experts urge development of a standardized national sepsis pathway and a more open culture that heeds relatives’ concerns to cut avoidable deaths