Doha, 11 September 2024: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is joining thousands of organizations around the world in marking World Sepsis Day by raising awareness about this life-threatening condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Held annually on 13 September, the theme for World Sepsis Day 2024 is "Sepsis Prevention: Save Lives, Stop Suffering".
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of an infection and arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death, especially if not recognized early and treated promptly. Around the world, sepsis remains the main cause of hospital admissions and higher healthcare costs.
Chief Medical Officer at HMC, Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, highlighted that sepsis can escalate rapidly, turning a manageable infection into a life-threatening situation. “Sepsis is a condition that affects millions of people and claims lives worldwide. Our medical teams are trained to recognize the early warning signs of sepsis and implement life-saving interventions without delay. At HMC, we have integrated cutting-edge diagnostic tools and evidence-based protocols to ensure that patients receive the most effective treatment as quickly as possible. As the main provider of specialist medical care in Qatar, we continue to fight against sepsis to improve our patients’ outcomes and reduce the burden of sepsis.”
“However, fighting sepsis is not solely the responsibility of healthcare providers. Public awareness is crucial as 80 percent of sepsis occur outside the hospitals. We urge everyone to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of sepsis and to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect sepsis. Today we stand united with the global health community in our mission to reduce the burden of sepsis. By working together, healthcare providers, patients, and communities, we can improve outcomes and save lives,” added Dr. Al Ansari.
Ms. Mariam Al Mutawa, Acting Chief Nursing Officer at HMC, stated that on World Sepsis Day, it is imperative to recognize the pivotal role of nurses as part of the multidisciplinary team in the sepsis program and their role in managing sepsis. “Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to identify the early signs of sepsis. Their ability to quickly recognize these signs and initiate life-saving interventions is crucial in reducing mortality rates associated with sepsis. Healthcare professionals need to recognize the early warning signs of sepsis and to carry out treatment in severe cases within one hour following diagnosis. Often referred to as the ‘Golden Hour’, during this period, healthcare professionals should carry out a series of treatment steps referred to as the ‘Sepsis Six Bundle’, which could maximize a patient’s chance of survival.”
Qatar’s National Sepsis Program remains an important initiative to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge of sepsis detection and treatment, based on international best practice.
Dr. Abdulsalam Saif, HMC Sepsis Lead, and Division Head of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at HMC explained: “This initiative brings together the major healthcare providers in the country under the umbrella of the Ministry of Public Health to work together to develop the best practice guidelines and protocols. We continue to fight sepsis as one of the most important causes of admission to our healthcare system, particularly in the categories of patients at risk due to their underlying conditions such as immunosuppressed patients or patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney, lung or heart diseases.”
“The HMC Sepsis program works closely with all involved disciplines to develop and update pathways to recognize and manage sepsis early. Sepsis alerts are developed in our electronic medical records and a high index of suspicion is also considered with any deteriorating patients. We aim to start management as early as possible for which we use the internationally adopted sepsis six bundle where antibiotics are the corner stone and need to be given as early as possible.”
HMC, as member of the global sepsis alliance (https://globalsepsisalliance.org/members) participates in celebrating World Sepsis Day every year on September 13, as individuals and organizations worldwide come together to educate and inform communities about the importance of early recognition and treatment of sepsis.
