Improving management of sepsis in the community.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Pathological changes in the circulation reduce the blood supply to major organs, causing them to fail. This may lead to death, therefore rapid recognition and treatment of sepsis is vital. Sepsis research has focused on patients in acute hospital settings. However, most cases of sepsis originate in the community, suggesting that the identification of sepsis and delivery of timely care is necessary before hospital admission. Therefore, it is essential that nurses practising in the community are provided with appropriate sepsis guidelines that can be implemented immediately. The UK Sepsis Trust has developed the General Practice Sepsis Decision Support Tool, which has been designed specifically for use in the community. This article provides an overview of how the tool is used in the community and how it works in conjunction with the 'Sepsis Six' care bundle and care bundles for hospital settings. Changes to the terminology used in relation to sepsis and recent guidelines are also explained.