The Sepsis Six tool: what it is and how to use it to assess a deteriorating patient

Implementing the infection control steps to improve outcomes and save lives

• Sepsis – an immune system overreaction to infection or injury – kills about 48,000 people a year in the UK
• The Sepsis Six protocol is focused on controlling infection and restoring circulation, and there are versions for different clinical settings
• How the Sepsis Six update in 2019 changed the process, and how to use it to identify risk and improve outcomes

Sepsis and severe infection are common reasons for admission to hospital, and perhaps the most common causes of inpatient deterioration, according to the UK Sepsis Trust (UKST).