Hamad Medical Corporate (HMC) and Sidra Medicine participate in celebrating World Sepsis Day, which is celebrated internationally and annually on Sept. 13.
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of an infection and arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs and it may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly. Around the world, sepsis remains the main cause of hospital re-admissions and higher healthcare costs.
Chief Medical Officer at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, explained the onset of acute sepsis can pose a significant mortality risk or be the cause of significant long-term morbidity requiring ongoing treatment and support.
‘Sepsis is a medical emergency and one where timely intervention is essential to prevent septic shock and potential death or persistent health impairments. Global research has shown that up to 50 percent of sepsis survivors suffer from long-term physical and/or psychological effects of the condition,’ said Dr. Al Ansari
‘From a healthcare perspective, it is essential to monitor patients carefully in the months after they have been discharged from the hospital to make sure the patient is safe and to avoid any risk of renewed infections and re-hospitalisation,’ he stressed.
According to international statistics, every year between 47 to 50 million people contract sepsis, and at least 11 million people die from it (one in five deaths worldwide are associated with sepsis).
International clinical consensus highlights the need for health professionals to recognise early warning signs of sepsis and to carry out treatment in severe cases within one hour following diagnosis. Often referred to as the 'Golden Hour', during this period, health professionals should carry out a series of treatment steps referred to as the 'Sepsis Six', which could maximise a patient's chance of survival.
Senior Consultant at the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Hamad General Hospital Dr. Ahmed Labib highlighted the importance of greater awareness of the basic signs and symptoms of sepsis, and noted that sepsis awareness is still relatively low among the general public and research indicates that around 80 percent of sepsis cases occur outside hospitals. A lack of knowledge and awareness among patients and their family members makes sepsis the number one preventable cause of death worldwide, he added.
‘There are six common signs that may indicate sepsis, these include slurred speech or exhibiting confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever, passing no urine all day, severe breathlessness, and skin looking mottled or generally discoloured. Many people with sepsis have expressed a feeling that they will die, which of course can be terrifying. More awareness that can support suspecting sepsis is a first major step towards early recognition and diagnosis and ultimately better patient recovery outcomes,’ said Dr. Labib.
For his part, Chief, Pediatric Infectious Disease at Sidra Medicine Dr. Mohammad Janahi, explained that children and pregnant women are among the at-risk groups as they are more susceptible to infections.
‘While anyone can develop sepsis, certain vulnerable population groups are more at risk, including people with chronic diseases, older people, pregnant or recently pregnant women, and children, particularly premature babies and infants whose immune system is not fully developed. Studies suggest that about 40 percent of sepsis cases around the world involve children under the age of five,’ said Dr. Janahi.
Qatar's National Sepsis Program remains an important initiative to enhance healthcare professionals' knowledge of sepsis detection and treatment, based on international best practice.
Sidra Medicine is hosting the Qatar 7th National Sepsis Symposium on World Sepsis Day (Sept. 13), while HMC's Sepsis Steering Committee is recommending interested clinicians attend the free World Sepsis Meeting titled 'Breaking Barriers around the World', which will virtually take place from September 12 to 16.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates a multidisciplinary approach to improve sepsis prevention and outcomes, by implementing preventive measures against infections, such as good hygiene practices, ensuring access to vaccination programs, and other good infection prevention and control practices are key steps in reducing the occurrence of sepsis. WHO stresses that early diagnosis and timely and appropriate clinical management of sepsis, including optimal antimicrobial use and fluid resuscitation can also help increase the likelihood of survival.
World Sepsis Day, held annually on Sept. 13, was established in 2012 as an initiative of the Global Health Alliance to raise awareness of the dangers of sepsis. The global annual campaign, which is supported by Qatar's public healthcare sector, advocates prevention education alongside promoting early detection and comprehensive evidence-based treatment measures. (QNA)
