JUST ASK, COULD IT BE SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to any infection that progresses quickly and requires immediate attention. Know the signs and symptoms (one or all of the following may be present).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS

Rapid breathing

Rapid heart rate

Confusion, slurred speech or disorientation

Fever or shivering

Muscle pain

Not passing urine

Discoloured skin

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!

Early-stage sepsis:

Sufferers are generally unwell, may display one or all of the signs and symptoms, feel worse than when previously sick and there is concern
Contact healthdirect at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ OR Call 1800 022 222 (24 hours) and ask…could it be sepsis?

Later stage sepsis:

Sufferers are seriously unwell, likely to display significant changes in multiple signs and symptoms, feel like they might die and there is serious concern
CALL 000 Ambulance or if quicker go immediately to the closest Emergency Department and ask….could it be sepsis?

Key considerations:

If concerned get advice immediately
If seriously concerned get treatment immediately
Inflammation due to infection is normal but in sepsis the inflammation response is uncontrolled, it may start mildly but rapidly escalate to critical illness
Sepsis is difficult to recognise as it may not have an obvious cause, it can look like viral or bacterial illnesses such as flu, gastro or urinary tract infection
Trust your intuition…if it doesn’t feel right TAKE ACTION and always ask…could it be sepsis?

symptom checker Call 000

Fact Sheets

SUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Sepsis affects over 90,000 Australians each year, yet care remains inconsistent, leading to preventable deaths and long-term harm. As part of the 10-year review of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Sepsis Australia and the Consumer Partner and Advocacy Program are calling on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to mandate the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard. While currently recommended, this standard is not assessed through accreditation audits. Mandating it would ensure all health services are held to the same life-saving standard of care. Read more to find out why clinical care standards matter.

How to Participate

Please go to the submission and review. To fill out the form please go here.

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