New initiatives are showing progress in the global fight against sepsis, a condition that can escalate rapidly from a simple infection and is linked to one in five deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
In Malawi and Uganda, the APT Sepsis programme has achieved a 32% reduction in maternal deaths and severe infections from sepsis. This programme focuses on educating healthcare workers about hand hygiene, infection prevention, and early detection.
Meanwhile, in Madrid, a hospital-wide "sepsis code" has been implemented, similar to fast-track protocols for heart attacks and strokes. This approach has reportedly brought sepsis mortality down from 24% to 17%.