Sepsis a barometer of where health systems are failing

Improvements in sepsis outcomes show that prevention is working, that healthcare is accessible, that systems are functioning, and that people are receiving the care they need, write Shabir Madhi, Robyn Hayes-Badenhorst and Andrew Argent for News24 .

However, there is urgent need for even more vigilance and surveillance, and for rectifying weaknesses and gaps in our systems.

A woman who develops an infection after giving birth can deteriorate within hours. Her temperature rises. Her pulse quickens. Her breathing changes. In a busy maternity ward, staff may miss these signs.

Across 59 hospitals in Malawi and Uganda, APT-Sepsis tested whether better implementation of existing guidance could improve outcomes.

All hospitals received guidelines and obtained medicines through the usual procurement.

APT-Sepsis hospitals also engaged leaders, appointed staff champions, trained multidisciplinary teams, introduced practical tools and gave staff performance feedback.