Topic outline

• About the Sepsis Awareness Programme

  About the Sepsis Awareness Programme

  Sepsis contributes to over 26,000 deaths annually. Some deaths are preventable. Prompt recognition of sepsis and rapid intervention will help reduce the number of deaths occurring annually. Asking the question ‘Could this be sepsis?’ is a critical when assessing a deteriorating patient.  

  Recognising its importance and the need for specialised training, NHS England has developed an e-learning programme to offer guidance on improving the diagnosis and management of sepsis across various settings.  

  This programme includes sessions aimed at both community-based healthcare professions as well as healthcare professionals working in acute settings. The elearning content is based on the latest NICE guidance on recognising and responding to suspected sepsis in adults, children and young people, care home settings, and people with a learning disability. There will be sessions added to cover pregnancy related sepsis at a later stage.  

  The learning materials that are available through this website and directly from the Learning Hub.  We recommend reviewing the Sepsis programme in conjunction with the Recognising and Managing Deterioration programme, which includes sessions on patient assessment, early warning scores in various settings as well as soft signs.  

  The new materials created will replace the old ones in phases. Once new ones are uploaded the old ones will still remain available for a duration to enable learners to complete any sessions they may be in the middle of. These will be marked separately.  

  
• Sepsis Awareness programme Update

  Sepsis Awareness programme Update

  PLEASE READ: the Sepsis programme is being reviewed to align with updated NICE Guidance published on 31st January 2024.  

  Please ensure you read the guidance and take note of the updates as you complete the training. The guidance can be found here https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG51.  

  The sepsis programme is being updated as a priority and each new session will be launched as soon as possible. Old sessions will remain available for a duration after launching new replacements to ensure learners can finish what they started. Please note all materials will be reviewed and their replacement requirements will be assessed case by case.  

  
  
• The Identification and Management of Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  The Identification and Management of Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  Identifying and managing sepsis in community-based care is an important measure in reducing deaths. 70% of sepsis cases develop within the community and people with a learning disability are disproportionately affected.

  The new and updated learning sessions under sepsis in community-based care are universally accessible and aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about sepsis. They address the early identification and management of sepsis in adults, children and young people, and people with a learning disability and follow the most recent NICE Guidance published in January 2024. These sessions are accessible through the links below.

  The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) acknowledges NHS England’s recommendation for paramedics to be given NEWS2 scores upon arrival, despite NEWS2 not being validated for primary care. While the use of NEWS2 is not mandatory for assessing patients at risk of deterioration, we have included its calculation in this e-learning module to demonstrate the physiological measurements in the case studies.

  Further information regarding each module can be found below.
  

  
  
• Adult Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  Adult Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  Identifying sepsis is crucial for positive patient outcomes. This elearning is aimed at introducing what sepsis is, how to identify sepsis, and what can be the potential causes. It also explains who may be at a greater risk of sepsis.  

  The elearning is aimed at any professional working with patients in primary care or community-based settings.  

  The session covers when to consider sepsis, which patients are at greatest risk and how to use clinical judgement alongside full sets of observations to identify and manage the unwell patient. Case studies are used to support the learning. 

  
  

  To start your learning, click Adult Sepsis in Community-Based Care
• Paediatric Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  Paediatric Sepsis in Community-Based Care

  This e-learning session introduces what sepsis is, how it affects children and how to recognise it in different age ranges. It also covers what the next steps are after identifying a child with possible sepsis. 

  The elearning will benefit any professional who comes into contact with unwell children who may have sepsis outside of the hospital setting. This includes people working in GP surgeries, schools, and the ambulance services.  

  The session covers what sepsis is, which infections can lead to sepsis and how they might present in a child and how to identify children at risk of sepsis and deteriorating children. You will also learn about paediatric early warning scores, what to do if you identify a child at risk of sepsis, and how to communicate this to hospital staff who will investigate, diagnose, and manage sepsis. 

  
  

  To start your learning, click Paediatric Sepsis in Community-Based Care
  
• Sepsis and People with a Learning Disability

  Sepsis and People with a Learning Disability

  This session is aimed at anyone caring or supporting people with a learning disability.   

  It aims to help you to recognise when the person you support may be becoming unwell with sepsis and to know what to do. You will also learn about why people with a learning disability are at risk of sepsis and what you can do to reduce those risks.  

  
  

  To start your learning, click Sepsis and People with a Learning Disability
  
• Leadership Sepsis Primary Care Overview

  Leadership Sepsis Primary Care Overview

  The Leadership in Primary Care session is designed for non-clinical and clinical leaders working in primary care and looks at the challenges in leadership roles, to ensure best practice, in identifying and managing acute deterioration and sepsis in primary care settings, including general practice. 
  

  
  

  To start your learning, click Leadership Sepsis Primary Care Overview