Post-surgical Infections (Including Septicaemia and Sepsis)

Sepsis, commonly known as blood poisoning, can quickly become life threatening. It is not an uncommon condition in the hospital setting and is one of the leading causes of hospital deaths.

Sadly, 5,000 Australians die from the condition each year. For every three people who contract sepsis, one will die.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s usual response of releasing chemicals into the bloodstream to fight infection is out of balance.

It can affect all parts of the body. In severe cases, one or more organs fail. In the worst cases (known as septic shock), sepsis causes the blood pressure to decrease to dangerous levels and the heart to become weaker. Once this happens, multiple organs may fail quickly and, if not corrected, the person will die.

Sepsis is a time-critical condition requiring rapid recognition and treatment with appropriate antibiotics. Early treatment saves lives. Most often, sepsis occurs in hospitalized patients or those who have recently been in hospital.  In both aged care facilities and hospitals, appropriate recognition, and timely management of patients with severe infection and sepsis is a significant problem.

There are guidelines that specify standards for rapid treatment of patients displaying sepsis symptoms with antibiotics.