Sepsis: how nurses can recognise the signs and respond swiftly

Our podcast guest talks about this life-threatening condition, why guidance is being updated, and what to do if you suspect a patient has sepsis

3D illustration showing rod-shaped sepsis bacteria in blood. Picture: iStock

How do you recognise the signs of sepsis? And how should you respond when you suspect the patient in front of you is at risk?

The latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast examines what nursing staff need to know about this life-threatening condition.

Our guest, Sian Annakin, is deteriorating patient team lead at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, and a sepsis practitioner.

She tells Emergency Nurse editor Sophie Blakemore what to watch out for in adults and what guidelines say about when and how to treat a patient with suspected sepsis.

Learn about sepsis guidance and screening tools

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence sepsis guidance is currently under review with an update expected in late June.

Ms Annakin, who is also communications officer for the UK Sepsis Practitioner Forum, discusses why the review is taking place and what it means for nurses and hospital trusts in the interim, as well as when the update is published, whatever the outcome.

Listeners will also hear what tools are available to help them screen for sepsis and how to supplement these using their own clinical experience.

More Nursing Standard podcasts

Further information

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: sepsis guidance

Sepsis Trust: professional resources

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• Sepsis: an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology
• What is the Sepsis Six tool and how and when should I use it?
• Sepsis guidelines revised for treating patients who are less ill
• Patient deterioration: making sure the signs aren’t missed