Ambulance service mark World Sepsis Day
Friday, 12 September, 2014
The ambulance service is at the forefront of research and action ahead of World Sepsis Day on Saturday, September 13.
Sepsis, more commonly known as severe blood poisoning, can affect the whole body and its vital organs and is the leading cause of death from infection. If not treated swiftly, it can prove fatal; more than 37,000 people in the UK die every year from sepsis - which is more than breast and bowel cancer combined.
Tracy Nicholls, acting Director of Clinical Quality at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and member of the UK Sepsis Trust, has championed the role paramedics can play in saving people from this deadly blood disease: “We are seeing 50 to 90 cases in the region a month and I want us to continue pushing on and continue to raise awareness of this condition,” she said. “We want sepsis to be as high profile as a stroke or heart attack as NHS research released this month has suggested that the delivery of basic elements of sepsis care could save 11,000 lives a year; the key to reducing the prevalence of sepsis is timely recognition and diagnosis, quick administration of antibiotics and the involvement of experts including intensive care specialists – and we play a key role in that.”
Tracy has been leading the drive from the ambulance service to promote sepsis awareness across the health sector.
More information is available via the Time to Act campaign http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/time-to-act which includes advice on how to spot the signs of sepsis.
Facebook users can log on to the EEAST page on Saturday for more advice and information or follow @EastEnglandAmb for the latest World Sepsis Day updates using #WSD14.
