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Sepsis Six update emphasises importance of early intervention by a senior clinician

Find out how revised tool helps you escalate concerns if you suspect a patient has sepsis
nurse holds clip board and completes paperwork to illustrate use of the Sepsis 6 tool

Find out how revised tool helps you escalate concerns if you suspect a patient has sepsis

RCNi has launched a guide on changes to the Sepsis Six screening tool, which helps nurses and other healthcare staff tackle sepsis quickly.

The Sepsis Six tool is a set of six actions to be completed within one hour of sepsis being suspected in patients over 12 years.

Read our essential guide to changes to the Sepsis Six here 

In the biggest change to the Sepsis Six since it was introduced in 2006, it now advises all clinical staff to ensure a senior clinician attends the patient, and places greater emphasis on ongoing monitoring.

Other existing elements of the tool, such as obtaining IV access and taking bloods, have been combined into one step.

Senior clinical input should be sought as soon as sepsis is considered

Georgina Taylor, lecturer in adult nursing at the University of Wolverhampton and clinical educator for the UK Sepsis Trust, said: 'This update states the importance of early senior clinical involvement. We’ve made good progress in improving education on sepsis, and the introduction of national early warning scores, especially NEWS-2, in acute trusts maintains safety.

'We are getting more positive outcomes in the treatment of sepsis, but we are still not escalating early enough when sepsis is suspected.'


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