World Sepsis Day 2022: spreading sepsis awareness across Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Earlier this month, our sepsis nursing teams across Cwm Taf Morgannwg were raising awareness of the risks of sepsis, and the signs and symptoms to look out for.
Every year on September 13, we join organisations and individuals around the world to mark World Sepsis Day, although many of our staff are involved in sepsis awareness charity events throughout the year.
What causes sepsis? Sepsis is caused by your body’s immune system responding abnormally to an infection in the body.
It is a life-threatening condition and if not diagnosed early can carry significant patient risk leading to permanent or life changing after-effects, including organ failure and even death in some instances.
Sepsis information stands were set up across our sites to support healthcare professionals across CTM to identify any patients they suspect at risk of sepsis, and to educate staff around the immediate steps to take with anyone suspected of fighting the condition.
We also spent time discussing the signs and symptoms of sepsis with patients visiting our hospitals today, and were delighted to welcome Terence Canning, UK Sepsis Trust (Wales Director) to our stand at the Princess of Wales Hospital.
Vanessa Jones, Nursing Lead for Acute Deterioration, CTM said:
“5 people die with sepsis every hour in the UK. If diagnosed early, sepsis can be treated with antibiotics but early identification of sepsis is crucial.
“As a Health Board, we are supporting our staff to recognise the early signs of sepsis and to help them to feel more confident in diagnosing and managing sepsis promptly, when they first suspect it in a patient.
“We also want to make our patients and communities more aware of the signs of sepsis; by doing this we can work towards reducing preventable harm and death from sepsis in the future.”
The UK Sepsis Trust has lots of information and resources to help you spot the signs and symptoms of sepsis (in adults and children). Click here for information and the most Frequently Asked Questions.
If you think it could be Sepsis, call 111 or book a visit to your GP and ask ‘could it be Sepsis’?
