Sepsis is caused by your immune system responding abnormally to infection and symptoms can include fever, chills, increased heart rate and nausea. Sepsis, if not successfully treated, can lead sufferers to sustain organ failure, tissue damage and as has been sadly widely reported – death.
Sepsis deaths – the statistics
The UK Sepsis Trust reports that each year in the UK 52,000 people lose their lives as a result of sepsis. This figure exceeds that of those claimed by breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.
The figures reported and the wide coverage in the media into deaths from sepsis, suggest that there has been a sharp increase in the number of recorded cases of sepsis and sepsis deaths.
Sepsis in the media
The apparent prevalence of the condition and the impact it has on those diagnosed and their families has garnered increased media attention and brought the issue to the forefront of the public’s mind. Indeed, even scriptwriters have acknowledged the relevancy of the condition and the need to educate audiences on the seriousness of sepsis. Furthermore, the potential speed with which sepsis can take effect if missed makes it an ideal dramatic plot theme.
For example, it is reported that over 15,000 Radio Four listeners contacted the BBC’s Action Line for advice and support on sepsis following an extremely sad and shocking storyline in the Archers where Nic Grundy lost her life after a cut became infected and she developed sepsis.
Similarly, on ITV, a Coronation Street sepsis storyline received public endorsement from a mother whose son had tragically died after there was a failure to identify the condition. She was confident that such storylines were positive as they could plant sepsis in the public psyche. Her sentiments were echoed by the CEO of the UK Sepsis Trust, who cited a lack of public and professional awareness meant treatment was being left too late.
What can be done?
So why has there been this rise in sepsis and what can be done?
It has been suggested that raised clinical awareness and improved recording techniques mean that more presenting cases are being recorded as sepsis rather than a simple infection. This, therefore, could mean that there are some false positives reported in the data.
Although, other factors in the population are suggested to play a major part, such as the ageing population and antibiotic resistance making the UK population more vulnerable to developing sepsis from infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
Sepsis is a time-sensitive condition and it is important that if you suspect you or a family member are exhibiting symptoms of sepsis to attend the hospital. If sepsis is suspected antibiotics should be prescribed within one hour of attending the hospital. Early diagnosis is key and reported figures do suggest that the rate of screening for sepsis is improving in emergency departments.
However, the statistics reported at the beginning of this piece would suggest that there is still a great need to improve services and further research into effectively tackling this condition is needed.
How can Nelsons help?
Danielle Young is a Senior Associate in our highly regarded Medical Negligence team.
If you have been affected by the points raised in this article or would like any further information in relation to sepsis compensation claims, then please contact Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
At Nelsons, our team prides itself on our friendly and professional service and we are always happy to discuss queries over the phone, via email or where appropriate at a meeting.