World Sepsis Day: Understanding the signs of sepsis

Recognising the signs of sepsis

Unfortunately, sepsis claims the lives of between 8,700 and 12,000 Australians annually.

Sepsis is a leading cause of preventable death globally, yet its symptoms can sometimes not be recognised until it is too late. Early detection and treatment dramatically improve survival rates.

The following warning signs should never be ignored, particularly in someone who has recently had an infection, surgery, or injury:

• fever, chills, or feeling abnormally cold
• rapid heart rate or rapid breathing
• confusion, disorientation, or slurred speech
• extreme pain or discomfort
• clammy, sweaty, or mottled skin
• reduced urine output

How sepsis can be missed

Tragically, sepsis is often missed or diagnosed too late. This can happen in a variety of healthcare settings:

GP clinics:

A patient presenting with fever or infection may be sent home with antibiotics and told to rest, without proper assessment of sepsis risk factors or warning signs.

Hospital emergency departments:

Overcrowded EDs may lead to delays in triage, assessment, or administration of antibiotics. Sepsis symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, or patients may deteriorate while waiting for care.

Hospital wards:

Post-operative patients or those with existing infections may show signs of deterioration that are not identified or acted upon quickly enough.

Common failures in sepsis care can include delays in ordering appropriate tests, failing to recognise signs that a patient is deteriorating, not following established sepsis protocols, or not providing antibiotics and other treatment quickly enough. When this happens, valuable time can be lost, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Support when medical care falls short

If you or a family member experienced a delayed sepsis diagnosis, or if you lost a loved one and believe their sepsis was not properly identified or treated, you may have a claim for medical negligence.

At Maurice Blackburn, we understand the profound impact a delayed diagnosis can have on individuals and families. Our medical negligence team has represented families who have lost loved ones to sepsis that should have been diagnosed and treated earlier. We've also helped survivors living with serious and life-changing complications, including amputations, organ damage, and cognitive impairment, following delays in treatment.

To learn more about a time Maurice Blackburn has acted for a family who lost a family member due to a delay in diagnosis of sepsis, read our article: When Medical Care Fails: The Role of Coronial Inquests.

If you would like to learn more about sepsis, prevention and support, visit the World Sepsis Day website.

Concerned about a delayed sepsis diagnosis?

Our specialist medical negligence lawyers help Australians navigate complex claims with compassion and clarity.

We'll listen to your story, explain your rights, and guide you through every step of the legal process. We work on a No Win, No Fee basis, which means you won't pay our legal fees unless we win your case.

Talk to our medical negligence team

We offer free initial consultations to understand your situation and discuss your options, with no obligation to proceed. If you'd like to learn more about your rights, contact our team today.