Hospitals across Lanarkshire are gearing up to celebrate World Sepsis Day with a series of awareness events.

Sepsis claims over 37,000 lives in the UK each year, which is more than prostate, bowel and breast cancer combined.

Thanks to early identification and treatment, teams across NHS Lanarkshire have significantly reduced the number of patients contracting Sepsis while in hospital.

The events, which will be held on Monday 14 September, will highlight the work being carried out to cut the rates of the fatal infection.

Martin Carberry, nurse consultant in critical care, said: “Sepsis is a major cause of mortality across the world and in the UK. You are five times more likely to suffer a death from sepsis than die as a result of a heart attack.

“Sepsis is a life threatening medical condition that arises when the body’s attempt to fight an infection results in the immune system damaging tissues and organs.

“If it is not identified early, it can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and even death. However, early identification and treatment can reduce mortality by half, especially if antibiotics are delivered within the first hour.

“In order to begin treatment as quickly as possible, teams in each acute hospital across Lanarkshire have introduced the ‘Sepsis Six’ bundle.

“The Sepsis Six is a set of interventions which can increase a patient’s chance of survival. The six steps include administering a high flow of oxygen, taking blood cultures and giving antibiotics and intravenous fluids.

“By using the Sepsis Six within the first hour, we can reduce mortality by a massive 50%.”

The Sepsis Six bundle has been introduced as part of NHS Lanarkshire’s Patient Safety Collaborative, which aims to make NHS Lanarkshire the safest healthcare provider in the country.

Sepsis road shows will be held on Monday 14 September, between 12noon and 2pm, at the following locations:

• Hairmyres Hospital Atrium
• Monklands Hospital restaurant
• Wishaw General Hospital restaurant