Overview

• In Spain an estimated 17,000 people die from sepsis each year, with the syndrome affecting roughly 5% of hospital admissions and a significant share of infection cases seen in emergency departments.
• SEMICYUC reports overall sepsis mortality near 28% and septic shock at 22%–40%, while hospitals with a fully implemented Código Sepsis have cut deaths to about 12%.
• Diagnosed cases rose about 60% between 2016 and 2022, a trend linked to population ageing, more immunosuppressed patients and complex treatments, with experts noting national reporting still lacks uniformity.
• Most episodes start outside hospitals globally and higher‑risk groups include newborns, older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immunity, so vaccination, hand hygiene and careful wound care are being urged.
• Local officials in the Pontevedra‑O Salnés health area estimate 3 to 10 protocol‑eligible cases daily, and a recent communiqué warned the risk of death can rise by up to 8% for every hour without appropriate care.