Sepsis is a leading cause of preventable death, the incidence of which has increased markedly over the past 40 years. While mortality rates are improving, one-fifth of patients with severe sepsis die. Early identification and intervention are key to survival - delayed care for inpatients who develop sepsis is the main reason why this group has a higher mortality rate than people with sepsis admitted from the community.  Internationally, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign promotes screening of “every patient, every shift, every day” for sepsis, while new UK guidelines recommend health practitioners ask “Could this be sepsis?” for any patient presenting signs of a possible infection.

Nurses are best placed to identify sepsis early and ensure timely treatment. A thorough understanding of the events underlying development of sepsis and its associated risks will help nurses in this life-saving role. The goal is that all nurses, in all clinical settings, consider, as a first priority, the possibility of sepsis in any infant, child or adult presenting with an infection.

After completing the online learning activity and quiz, you should be able to:

• Outline the molecular events that underlie sepsis and septic shock.
• Discuss the causes and outcomes of organ dysfunction in sepsis.
• Describe risk factors for, and signs and symptoms of sepsis.
• Outline current and future therapies for sepsis.