From death’s door to saving lives

Katie’s sepsis was eventually diagnosed and she was treated with antibiotics.

‘I had been given a chance when other people had not,’ she says.

‘I was inspired to become a nurse. So during my long recovery, I completed an access to nursing course by distance learning from my hospital bed.’

At the most difficult times during her recovery and continuing rehabilitation, there were two ‘amazing’ nurses who cared for her.

One of these inspirational nurses was at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

Katie says: ‘I was in real pain but the doctors were saying to me “You shouldn’t be feeling pain”. Because the urinary tract condition I had was so rare, the doctors didn’t know what to do. It took a year to diagnose the condition and have the subsequent reconstructive surgery I required.’

Katie continues: ‘The second nurse who had such an impact on me was an ITU nurse who looked after me when I was recovering from major internal reconstructive surgery at University College Hospital in London.

‘She was trying to encourage me to get up out of bed. But mentally I could not do it. I was terrified that the wound on my stomach would burst open. I had undergone groundbreaking surgery and was afraid.

‘The nurse told me how strong I was, kept reminding me that I had been strong enough to study while recovering. She kept encouraging me and eventually gave me the confidence to stand up – to get out of bed.

‘A few days later, after I had been transferred to the ward, she came up to see me. It was Christmas Day and she brought me a card and a small present. I was really touched that she had taken time out of her day for me.’

Katie says when she qualifies, she wants to be just like these nurses who cared for her during her sepsis recovery.

‘It was the first student-led project in sepsis, and in fact the first student-led project in healthcare for the university,’ says Katie.

‘I think at first it seemed a bit ambitious to the university, but it was a great success. I was expecting to deliver training to about 30 students but, when more than 200 applied, I managed to secure a venue for more than 100 students.

‘Sepsis is a huge issue – and our university only has a two-hour lecture on it throughout the three years of the degree, focusing only on its biological aspects.

‘We are going out on our placements and do not know what we need to know to keep our patients safe.

‘We are often the first person to observe a deteriorating patient through routine observations, and I wanted students to be aware of sepsis screening tools that should be used if a patient has a NEWS (National Early Warning Score) of 3 or more, as well as what resources are available in our trust to treat the condition fast.’

Katie’s Sepsis Champions programme included contributions from the RCN and the charity UK Sepsis Trust. It also included talks from a sepsis nurse specialist, part of the UK’s first nursing team dedicated to sepsis in emergency departments, and her university’s lead lecturer in pathophysiology of shock.

Katie says: ‘The nurse specialist went through all the practicalities with the students, signs of sepsis, the screening tools available, sepsis boxes that are located in crash trolleys – things that a student may not be aware are available.

‘I think that really helped the students gain some confidence in what to do if they had to deal with a patient with sepsis.’

Katie recounted her personal experience of surviving sepsis to the students, to illustrate the importance of speedy diagnosis and treatment.

One comment among the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees was: ‘Hearing a patient’s experience put the whole day into perspective and reiterated the importance of learning about sepsis and implementing this knowledge in practice.’

Another said: ‘Learnt so much. I honestly didn’t have a clue until today. I am so grateful for this opportunity.’

‘The best thing happened to me last month,’ says Katie. ‘A student who had been on my training ran up to me at university to tell me that they helped save someone’s life on placement as a result of what they had learned at the teaching event.

‘Honestly, it was the best thing I could have heard. My day has helped patients – and is saving lives.’

Two more Sepsis Champions days are planned for this year and the university has been so impressed by the programme’s impact that it has now been made part of its undergraduate curriculum. Katie was a speaker at the Patient Safety Congress in Manchester, and is in discussion with other universities about rolling out her programme, including Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds.

Asked about the challenges of developing the programme, Katie says nothing compares to the struggles she has faced on her recovery from sepsis. In fact, she continues to campaign – and study – while living with the implications of having her bladder completely reconstructed, including more surgery.

Penny Harrison, senior lecturer at De Montfort University’s school of nursing and midwifery, is Katie’s personal tutor.

‘She is just fantastic,’ says Ms Harrison. ‘She has just completed her first year and her practice reports have been strong and positive. All three placement contacts were clear they want her back when she qualifies. Her clinical mentors report that her patient care is exemplary, especially her communication skills with patients, staff and the multiprofessional team. They have commented on her leadership potential.

‘Katie’s determination to just crack on with her nursing despite the personal and physical challenges she has faced is just jaw-dropping. Her empathy for her patients and her appreciation of how they feel is unusual in someone so young. I can’t speak highly enough of her. My only concern is that she does so much.’

The RCNi Nurse Awards 2018 took place in London on 4 July. Katie received the Andrew Parker Student Nurse Award from Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke (pictured left, along with awards host Kate Garraway).

On winning the award, Katie said: ‘I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, the luckiest student in the world. I can’t put into words how much that moment meant to me when my name was called out. 

‘I didn’t expect it at all – I wanted all of the other students to win just as much because I absolutely believe in their projects and the work they are doing, and they inspired me so much during the judging process.

‘It’s such a prestigious award. When I approach people about my sepsis project, to know that it’s got recognition from such a big organisation in the nursing world will only strengthen my campaign to improve care.’

Award judge Kath McCourt says Katie’s passion for improving care and supporting colleagues impressed the panel: ‘Her knowledge and determination to share her personal experience as a real-life example enabled her to help a huge number of student colleagues and others understand sepsis and appreciate its potential consequences.

‘Her personal determination and commitment was displayed in a professional and authentic way. She showed skills of negotiation and influence, and shared her own experience, which enhanced this positive approach to sepsis. Her leadership was quietly confident and evidence-based.’

Katie says she is aware of her trophy’s significance: ‘Before I entered the awards, I tried to find out about Andrew Parker, whom the award is named after. As well as his love of hats, I learned that he was an RCN activist who encouraged students and young college members who had the passion and drive to express what he believed was best for patient care.

‘I feel the work I have done – and will continue to do – can honour that. I am passionate about patient care and a great believer in evidence-based practice and the adaptability of nurses to change.’

Katie plans to specialise in sepsis nursing when she graduates, as well as continuing her awareness campaign.

‘Like Mr Parker, I also have a special interest in political engagement regarding key nursing debates, especially making a difference to sepsis recognition.

‘With help from the RCN, I am currently approaching the House of Lords about changing sepsis education, particularly the curriculum of pre-registration nursing.’