In 2015, an All Parliamentary Group was established which called for the need to address sepsis across the NHS and NHS England identified tackling sepsis as a clinical priority for improving patient outcomes. The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) highlighted lessons learnt from sepsis cases and provided key recommendations for improving the quality and safety of care. Of these 21 recommendations, 6 were identified as being relevant to the care homes within Lancashire County Council.
- Training in the recognition and management of sepsis in primary and secondary care;
- Standard method of referral from primary to secondary care;
- An early warning score e.g. (NEWS) to be used in primary and secondary care;
- Primary care providers to ensure robust safety netting for those suspected as at risk of sepsis
- Early identification and management of the source of sepsis where possible
- Patient and carer information
Lancashire County Council worked with local CCGs to deliver an improvement programme aimed at the early identification and escalation of patients in care homes with a suspected diagnosis of sepsis.
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