Sepsis in acute care settings

Sepsis in Acute Care Settings Introduction

Sepsis is one of the most time-critical conditions in acute healthcare. It is also one of the most dangerous to miss. Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to infection triggers widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction. Without prompt treatment, it can progress rapidly to septic shock and death. Importantly, research shows that each hour of delay increases mortality risk. Therefore, early recognition is a patient safety imperative.

Healthcare professionals in acute care must identify sepsis quickly and accurately. However, sepsis does not always present clearly. Its symptoms often overlap with other conditions. As a result, clinicians need vigilance, a structured assessment approach, and familiarity with current treatment guidelines. In addition, high-risk groups require particular attention. This includes people with a learning disability, who may present differently or face barriers to timely recognition.

To address these challenges, the Sepsis in Acute Care Settings elearning course builds essential knowledge and clinical awareness. Specifically, it uses real-world case studies to demonstrate varied presentations and evidence-based management strategies aligned with current NICE guidance.

Developed by: This course was developed by NHS England, with content aligned to the most recent update to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on sepsis recognition and management, ensuring it reflects current clinical standards for acute care settings.

Who is This Sepsis in Acute Care Settings Course for?

• Nurses and allied health professionals working in acute hospital environments who want to strengthen their ability to recognise and respond to sepsis promptly and accurately
• Junior doctors and foundation trainees who are looking to build confidence in identifying sepsis presentations and applying NICE-aligned management strategies
• Emergency department staff who seek a structured and case-based approach to sepsis recognition across a range of clinical presentations
• Healthcare professionals working with people with learning disabilities who want to develop awareness of the specific risk factors and recognition challenges relevant to this patient group
• Clinical support workers in acute settings who are looking to develop a baseline understanding of sepsis symptoms and the importance of early escalation
• Ward-based healthcare staff across acute care specialties who seek a reliable refresher on current sepsis identification and treatment guidelines

Features

• Uses a case study-based format to illustrate how sepsis presents across different clinical scenarios in acute care, supporting the transfer of knowledge into real-world practice
• Covers early symptom identification, treatment guidelines, and the recommended management approach in line with current NICE guidance
• Includes dedicated content on sepsis risk factors and recognition in people with a learning disability, addressing a clinically important and often overlooked patient group
• Developed by NHS England and aligned to the most recent NICE guidance update, ensuring clinical accuracy and relevance to current acute care practice
• Fully online with an annual licence model, allowing flexible access and the ability to revisit content as clinical needs or guidance updates arise

For institutional purchase or bulk licences of our online medical courses, please contact us.