The Irish College of GPs (ICGP) has published an update document on adult sepsis, which aims to promote sepsis awareness in primary care and to promote vaccination as an essential part of prevention.
This General Practice Update (GPU) is authored by Dr Ellen Hayes, ICGP/HSE Clinical Lead Adult Sepsis, along with Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, Medical Director ICGP, Dr Michael O’Dwyer, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme in Sepsis, and Dr Emer O’Brien, ICGP Quality and Safety in Practice Clinical Lead.
The launch of the update at the ICGP headquarters in Dublin was also attended by Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE.
Sepsis is a time-dependent medical emergency that results from a dysregulated immune response to an infection. Around three-quarters of cases arise in the community, and delayed diagnosis can quickly progress to serious complications such as organ failure, septic shock, and death. Early recognition of suspected sepsis is therefore vital to enable timely escalation and medical review in an acute hospital.
Commenting at the launch, Dr Ellen Hayes said: “It is estimated that 70-80 per cent of sepsis arises in the community. GPs have a unique opportunity, but face unique challenges, for prompt recognition and referral of patients with suspected sepsis. Early sepsis detection is difficult, there is a huge variability in the clinical presentation of sepsis in primary care, and sepsis may not always be evident on initial presentation.”
The GPU aims to assist GPs in the detection and management of suspected sepsis, recognising the importance of clinical judgement in the decision-making process. It also highlights the multiple challenges facing both patients and GPs in the prompt recognition of sepsis.
Dr Hayes added: “Promoting the uptake of vaccinations to reduce the risk of infection and sepsis is a key message to GPs. Careful antibiotic prescribing to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance is also key to preserve treatment options for infection and sepsis into the future.”
The GPU provides GPs with an easily accessible algorithm to help in the prompt detection and management of adult sepsis in general practice. It also acknowledges the role of general practice in increasing public awareness and emphasises that an increased awareness of sepsis risk factors, signs, and symptoms is critical to save lives. The document is available for members of the ICGP via the clinical hub on the ICGP website.
Chair of the ICGP Board Dr Deirdre Collins added: “We know that GPs are the first port of call for a huge range of illnesses and conditions in the community. This update will help our members with sepsis awareness and support them in responding quickly where they suspect sepsis may be present. Sepsis can be deadly and difficult to diagnose, depending on the patient’s age and other risk factors. Being able to recognise it early can make a huge difference.”
