Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to an infection causes it to attack its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognised early and treated quickly. Use this guide to find information resources about recognising and caring for adults with presumed sepsis including books, reports and journal articles.
Key Resources
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NICE guidance is officially England only
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NICE guidance is officially England only.
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This document describes an operational definition of sepsis and supports the implementation of the NICE guidelines on the identification and treatment of sepsis.
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Produced in collaboration with NICE, NHS England and other experts, these tools support excellent sepsis care.
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Includes the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.
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Books

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Chapter 11 covers sepsis.
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Chapter 3 covers understanding sepsis.
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Chapter 21 covers sepsis.
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Chapter 7 covers the patient with sepsis and distributive shock.
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Journal articles
Journals
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Open access journal:
Critical care - Intensive and critical care nursing
- Journal of Critical Care
- Nursing in critical care
Explore
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A game designed in collaboration with UK Sepsis Trust and NHS England for frontline clinical staff and support workers. It is an exciting, unusual and effective way to learn about sepsis. It can be played online.
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This meeting of Congress discusses how we can further reduce avoidable harm and death from sepsis. This item was originally a Matter for Debate and was changed to a resolution. The resolution was passed.
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Twenty years ago Tom Ray had a delayed diagnosis of sepsis which resulted in quadruple amputations.
Watch Congress speech -
RCN Bulletin article (June 2019)
Article
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Information aimed at the public.
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This subject guide relates to:

Caroline Lynch
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Archive Service
Upcoming events relating to this subject guide
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27 Apr 2021
Flight Nursing Webinar
This webinar unites nurses and paramedics at a particularly challenging and difficult time. Whilst some sectors of the industry have become relatively inactive, others have had to adapt and respond, at pace, to an evolving pandemic environment.
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10 Jul 2021
Critical care response to COVID-19: An International Perspective
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Page last updated - 17/02/2021