Life-saving campaign warns everyone about the five signs of sepsis
SCOTS are being warned of the signs of deadly sepsis in a ‘milestone’ campaign launched yesterday.
Patients and their loved ones should be alert to early tell-tale symptoms of the condition so they can seek urgent medical advice.
sepsis kills someone in scotland every four hours – more than breast and prostate cancer combined – but early detection and treatment can save lives.
now the scottish Government has launched an awareness drive for the public and NHS staff following a campaign by the scottish Daily mail.
the £70,000 campaign will see posters and leaflets sent to pharmacies and GP surgeries as well as adverts in print, radio and social media. sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection and without quick treatment it can lead to multiple organ failure and death. it can also hit the circulation, which means some patients may have to undergo amputation of hand, feet, legs or arms.
early symptoms can include a very high or low temperature, uncontrolled shivering, a fast heartbeat or fast breathing, confusion, cold or blotchy hands or feet, and not passing urine as frequently as normal.
Launching the campaign, Health secretary shona robison said: ‘A lot of work had already been done on sepsis awareness among health professionals. the other bit of the jigsaw was a public awareness campaign so that the public themselves, and their loved ones, might be able to recognise the symptoms at an earlier stage and seek medical attention.’
the scottish Government had rejected calls for a national awareness drive but changed its mind following an outcry from charities and a campaign by the scottish Daily mail. miss robison said: ‘All of it, including the Daily mail, has got my attention on the issue of the public bit of the equation.
‘sepsis is such a big killer. We’ve done a tremendous amount of work with health professionals to improve treatment but it’s been a case of listening then acting to help get people into hospital more quickly with sepsis symptoms and that will help to save lives.’
the campaign was created with the help of FEAT, scotland’s sepsis Charity, founded in memory of edinburgh GP Dr Fiona elizabeth Agnew, who died of the condition along with her unborn daughter in 2012. Her husband, Craig stobo, who is the charity’s chairman, said: ‘this is a milestone day for sepsis awareness in scotland.’
He added: ‘We have pressed for the need to raise awareness of this killer condition and are confident that this scotland-wide campaign will be a game-changer in increasing the public’s understanding of the symptoms of sepsis and the quick action needed to save lives.
‘While we can’t bring back those lost to the condition, we dedicate this campaign to them and pledge to continue working towards the eradication of sepsis.’
the campaign was launched at University Hospital Wishaw, Lanarkshire. its A&e staff have begun using a ‘sepsis trolley’ stocked with essential equipment – blood testing kits, oxygen and antibiotics – so vital early treatment of patients can begin in minutes.
such trolleys are expected to be introduced to hospitals across scotland. NHS Lanarkshire consultant Dr Calum McGregor said: ‘sepsis can be difficult to recognise, and many of the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions.
‘Five symptoms and signs to be aware of are a change in behaviour such as confusion, cold or blotchy hands and feet, uncontrollable shivering, very high or low temperature, and reduced urine.
‘recent data suggests that for every hour’s delay in antibiotics, the chances of dying from sepsis increase so it is vital we get people the treatment they need as quickly as possible.’