Could it be sepsis? – updated pathways to help recognise and respond to sepsis

5 March 2024

Recognising and responding to sepsis early is critical to save patients' lives and reduce sepsis related complications. On 12 February the Clinical Excellence Commission launched updated sepsis pathways. These clinical decision support tools help nurses, midwives and doctors answer the important question ‘could it be sepsis?’ and provide guidance on how to respond and escalate.

There are four pathways – adult, maternal, paediatric and neonatal. The updated pathways incorporate the latest evidence and guidelines and input from NSW Health clinicians from across the Local Health Districts and Special Health Networks. A key consideration to the design of the pathways was the behavioural factors that impact their use at the bedside.

“This has been a complete revisit of all of the four pathways,” says Mary Fullick, Senior Improvement Lead, Adult Patient Safety Program at the Clinical Excellence Commission.

“As well as ensuring the pathways reflect the latest evidence, we have simplified and streamlined their format and flow to improve usability within practice”.

“We responded to feedback from clinicians, and revised sepsis risk factors, signs and symptoms and advice on when to escalate to a senior clinician. We also improved guidance on fluid resuscitation, antimicrobial use and more,” she says.