Sepsis survivors risk readmission with infections
New research finds that one in 21 sepsis survivors is readmitted to hospital within 30 days, rising to one in 12 by 90 days.
The research shows that the 87,000 people who are diagnosed with sepsis each year in Australia are at high risk of returning to hospital with a new infection or condition if they survive the initial infection.
The study led by Khalia Ackermann, PhD candidate at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, explains that the journey to recovery does not end at discharge, and that adults and children who survive sepsis are likely to face further health challenges.
Findings
Condition at readmission | Rate of adult sepsis survivor readmission |
|---|---|
Sepsis | 1 in 21 sepsis survivors is readmitted to hospital within 30 days with sepsis again, and 1 in 12 by 90 days. |
Pneumonia | 1 in 59 is readmitted to hospital with pneumonia within 30 days, and 1 in 38 within 90 days. |
Urinary tract infection | 1 in 125 is readmitted to hospital with a urinary tract infection within 30 days, and 1 in 59 by 90 days. |
Cardiovascular disease | 1 in 29 is readmitted to hospital because of cardiovascular disease within 30 days. |
Heart failure | 1 in 67 is readmitted to hospital with heart failure within 30 days. |
Understanding the risks helps survivors and clinicians take precautions to prevent further infections and complications, Ackermann says.
Children – who make up 40 per cent of the global burden of sepsis disease – are also at risk but less is known about the rates and causes for readmission, says Ackermann.
Next steps
Professor Ling Li, senior author on the research, emphasises the need for Australia to invest in advanced IT systems in hospitals to improve early detection of sepsis and, ultimately, save lives.
“Early detection of sepsis is vital for improving survival rates and reducing complications. Our team is investigating how hospital-based IT systems can be optimised to detect sepsis earlier, leading to timely and effective treatment. This is particularly important for children, whose sepsis symptoms and disease progression can differ significantly from adults,” says Professor Li.