Raising Awareness of Sepsis: Making Ellie Count

On Sunday September 3rd we held an afternoon of music at the Pavilion in Broadstairs to raise money for the Sepsis Trust. The event was organised in partnership with Academy FM and had the dual aim of raising money for The UK Sepsis Trust and raising awareness of sepsis.

Our event was held in memory of Ellie Lunn who tragically died of sepsis in 2015. Ellie’s mum, Kerry Hill, is Caremark Thanet’s Registered Manager and Director. You can read Ellie’s heart-breaking story here. If there is anything that can make Ellie’s story more tragic than it is, it is the fact that her death was preventable. If only the signs of sepsis had been recognised and acted on by medical professionals.

Our Campaign to Raise Awareness of Sepsis

It will come of no surprise, therefore, that for Caremark Thanet, Canterbury and Dover, raising awareness of sepsis is of paramount importance. Our Registered Manager and Director at Dover, Xana Sidibeh, trains all our care assistants in how to recognise the signs of sepsis. Xana has also delivered talks to local Rotary clubs, various business groups and members of the public.

The aim of Xana’s talk is not to make members of her audience into experts on sepsis. The aim is to make people aware of the signs of sepsis and to be bold in asking the question – in particular asking the question of medical professionals – “Could this be sepsis?” Ask the question: save a life!

The reason that awareness of sepsis is so important is that there is some good news. Sepsis can be fatal, and for those who survive potentially life changing. However, if the signs are recognised and timely treatment given sepsis is treatable.

What Is Sepsis?

Let’s look at some of the details about sepsis and then we’ll come to the good news. Sepsis is a life threatening condition. The UK Sepsis Trust explain:

“Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons we don’t yet understand, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. Yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.”

The facts and figures on sepsis make uncomfortable reading. It is estimated that there are 52,000 deaths from sepsis each year. Let’s put that into perspective: 52,000 deaths from sepsis each year is greater than the number of deaths from bowel cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Yes, you read that correctly: bowel cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer: COMBINED. That’s about one death every five minutes. during the time that you are watching the latest episode of your favourite soap opera, six people will have died from sepsis. 

Around 25,000 children are affected by sepsis each year. It is estimated that about 25% of sepsis survivors are left living with life changing conditions. Sepsis is also a concern in the workplace.

Sepsis is sometimes referred to as septicaemia, or blood poisoning. The Sepsis Trust list some of the fairly common conditions from which sepsis can result: “a chest infection causing pneumonia, a urine infection in the bladder, a problem in the abdomen, such as a burst ulcer or a hole in the bowel, an infected cut or bite, a wound from trauma or surgery,  a leg ulcer or cellulitis. Sepsis can be caused by a huge variety of different germs, like streptococcus, e-coli, MRSA or C diff. Most cases are caused by common bacteria, which normally don’t make us ill.”

Sepsis Is Treatable

Prompt treatment is essential. It is recognised that with early detection and treatment the outlook is good. International guidelines suggest that treatment should be started within one hour of sepsis being suspected. Although sepsis is a medical emergency, prompt treatment with antibiotics and fluids is very effective.

You can read about the signs of sepsis here.

Sadly, in Ellies case, the signs were not acted on. Raising awareness of sepsis is important for lay people and professionals. Our campaign to raise awareness of sepsis in memory of Ellie will continue. #makingellicount