Sepsis Awareness

Sepsis – recognition, deterioration, and escalation:

We are highlighting information and resources to support adult social care providers with the recognition of sepsis, deterioration, and appropriate escalation.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis always starts with an infection and early recognition and treatment can save lives.

Call 111 or contact the GP if you are worried about an infection.

Recognising sepsis in adults:

Slurred speech or confusion
Extreme shivering or muscle pain
Passing no urine (in a day)
Severe breathlessness
It feels like you’re going to die
Skin mottled or discoloured

Call 999 or visit A&E if an adult has ONE of the sepsis symptoms and Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?

Recognising deterioration:

Adult social care providers should have clear processes in place to recognise and respond to deterioration or changes in a person’s health, including appropriate escalation when someone becomes unwell.

Staff are often well placed to recognise changes or ‘soft signs’ of deterioration and should be alert to changes from a person’s usual presentation.

Tools such as RESTORE2, RESTORE2 Mini and NEWS2 can support the recognition, assessment, and communication of deterioration where these are used within the service. Providers should follow their established deterioration and escalation processes, including arrangements for seeking clinical advice and emergency assistance.

This can be particularly important for people who may have difficulty communicating that they feel unwell, including some people with a learning disability or dementia.

Preventing infection:

Sepsis always starts with an infection. Good infection prevention and control (IPC) practice can help reduce the risk of infection and the spread of infectious organisms.

Staff should always follow Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPS), including assessing infection risks, effective hand hygiene, respiratory and cough hygiene, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the safe management of care equipment and the care environment.

Staff should follow national IPC guidance and their organisation’s local IPC policies and procedures.

SEPSIS AWARENESS TOOL

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where the body is overwhelmed in response to an infection. Quick recognition and treatment are important.

This tool will help you assess the risk of sepsis. It's endorsed by The UK Sepsis Trust, and can be found here: SEPSIS ASSESSMENT TOOL

If you are concerned that someone may be seriously unwell, do not delay seeking appropriate medical help.

For further information on recognising and responding to sepsis, including helpful resources and tools, visit the UK Sepsis Trust.

Want to learn more? Watch our’ Recognising and Responding to Sepsis webinar’, recorded on the 18 September 2025, featuring a clinical nurse from the UK Sepsis Trust, a care home paramedic, a community matron, and a sepsis survivor sharing their expertise and experiences.

- Recognising and Responding to Sepsis Webinar, 18th September 2025 - YouTube