Primary Care Sepsis Collaborative

Why focus on this?

Sepsis is a condition that affects all members of the population: the young and the old, the fit and healthy as well as the frail and vulnerable. It is often difficult to recognise and delays in treatment can have a devastating effect on patients and their families. 

Who did we work with?

Between summer 2016 and spring 2018 we worked with three NHS boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to develop test and implement essential elements for prompt and reliable recognition and appropriate response to deteriorating patients in primary care.

What were we trying to achieve?

The aim of this work was that by 31 March 2018, 95% patients (aged 16 or over) being escalated from primary care with suspected sepsis would have their national early warning score (NEWS) communicated to the hospital, out-of-hours service, or Scottish Ambulance Service.

Impact

Through their involvement in this work, collaborative teams improved quality and safety in primary care and out-of-hours services.

View our final report (PDF)

Resources

• Sepsis toolkit 
• Primary Care Sepsis Collaborative Measurement plan (PDF) 
• Edinburgh District Nursing NEWS Audit Tool
• EHSCP District Nursing Escalation Tool
• NHS Lothian Standard Operating Procedure: EHSCP

Special thanks to NHS Lothian District Nursing Team for sharing their local resources.