Catching sepsis before it takes hold
Hospital Care

Catching sepsis before it takes hold

There are more than 11,000 Intensive Care unit admissions annually and severe infection, or sepsis, accounts for a high portion of these. Sepsis occurs when the body reacts badly to a bacterial infection by releasing chemicals that result in inflammation; it’s an illness that kills more people annually than prostate cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined.

Luckily, sepsis can be treated and treated successfully if identified early enough. The faster treatment starts, the better chance a patient has to overcome this severe infection; however it can be difficult to identify highly at-risk patients using current assessment tools.

Dr Hahn Pham hopes to fix this problem with the use of a non-invasive skin probe that has a high success rate of identifying patients at risk of organ dysfunction and deterioration.

This non-invasive skin probe has been introduced to the Emergency Department, and has been successful in enabling early sepsis treatment and intervention. This treatment has been seen to reduce the risk of death in patients suffering from a severe infection.

With the success of this study this probe could be introduced and used clinically in Emergency Departments and Wards throughout Australia and the globe, potentially saving the lives of thousands of patients each year.

The Prince Charles Hospital

Support The Common Good here

Published: April 26, 2019

Related news & events

The Prince Charles Hospital’s 2024 Giving Day

The Common Good

The Prince Charles Hospital’s 2024 Giving Day

Thanks to our remarkable community, we raised over $100,000 for The Prince Charles Hospital’s Children’s Services through our 2024 Giving Day.

Find out more

A/Prof Peter Lazzarini 2023 Researcher of the Year

Researcher Stories

A/Prof Peter Lazzarini 2023 Researcher of the Year

A/Prof Peter Lazzarini was awarded Researcher of the Year at The Prince Charles Hospital's 2023 Staff Excellence Awards.

Find out more

‘Palliative Care: It’s more than they think’ resources

Hospital Care

‘Palliative Care: It’s more than they think’ resources

Palliative care: It’s more than they think: New resources to help doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

Find out more

Sky Garden for Hip Surgery Patients and Staff Now Open

Ageing

Sky Garden for Hip Surgery Patients and Staff Now Open

Sky Garden for Hip Surgery Patients and Staff now open at The Prince Charles Hospital thanks to past Giving Day.

Find out more

Charlie's Village making a difference for patients and staff

Ageing

Charlie's Village making a difference for patients and staff

Charlie's Village, a village area in The Prince Charles Hospital's dementia care unit, has been incredibly beneficial in its first year.

Find out more

Partnering With Passion: Shine Lawyers

The Common Good

Partnering With Passion: Shine Lawyers

Corporate Partnership: One of those wonderful partners is Shine Lawyers, who have an unmistakable passion for helping communities thrive.

Find out more

Second Tree Party for The Common Good a Success in 2024

Lung Disease

Second Tree Party for The Common Good a Success in 2024

Tree Party for The Common Good: In 2024, the event raised funds for lung research carried out at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Find out more

Helping Hands: Child Life Therapy Program

Hospital Care

Helping Hands: Child Life Therapy Program

The Child Life Therapy Program was created at The Prince Charles Hospital to help alleviate the worries of the littlest paediatric patients.

Find out more

A Lasting Tribute

The Common Good

A Lasting Tribute

We are deeply honoured to announce a significant contribution from the Sheila & Bernard Joel Life-Saving Medical Equipment Foundation.

Find out more