While the number of documented cases of sepsis increased by approximately 7% (15,722 vs 14,742) in 2023, the crude mortality rate for septic shock decreased from 42.5% to 38% and the associated in-hospital mortality rate for sepsis decreased (19.3% vs 21.8%), compared to the 2022 data.
This is revealed in the National Sepsis Outcome Report 2023.
Writing in the report, Dr Michael O’ Dwyer, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for Sepsis, HSE National Quality & Patient Safety Directorate and Prof. Fidelma Fitzpatrick, Chair, National Sepsis Steering Committee said six processes must occur to give a person the best opportunity to survive:
- The unwell person, their family or carer must be aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis and the need to seek urgent medical review.
- Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of sepsis by healthcare staff at point of presentation or deterioration.
- Timely escalation to medical review to ensure that a thorough history and examination is carried out to identify infection as the likely (or suspected cause) of the patient being unwell and either detecting new onset organ dysfunction consequent to that infection or identifying that the person is in a group that puts them at an increased risk of developing and indeed dying from sepsis.
- The person with sepsis is treated with the Sepsis 6 bundle, which includes blood tests being sent to assess organ function.
- Healthcare staff must review the person’s response to initial therapy and amend the treatment plan accordingly.
- Adequate critical care capacity is available to accommodate those patients who fail to respond to treatment and require critical care.
There were 12,620 cases of sepsis documented in 2023, a 3.9% increase when compared with 2022 (n=12,150), with an in-hospital crude mortality rate of 18%, representing a 13.7% relative decrease in crude mortality over 2022 (20.8%). International comparators for sepsis mortality include the UK at 20.3%1, USA at 25%2, Australia at 19.7%3 and globally at 27%4.
Septic Shock: There were 1,915 cases documented in 2023, a 22.6% increase when compared with 2022 (n=1,562), with an in-hospital crude mortality rate of 38%, representing a 10.6% relative decrease in crude mortality rate when compared with 2022 (n=42.5%). This also benchmarks well internationally: global 42%
