CSA Webinar: Early Sepsis Recognition: Saving Lives Through Timely Intervention Now Available to Rewatch
With the theme "Early Sepsis Recognition: Saving Lives Through Timely Intervention," the webinar emphasized the urgent need for early detection and rapid response to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs. If left untreated, it can quickly escalate to organ failure and death. However, early recognition can dramatically reduce mortality rates. This webinar will provide invaluable insights to healthcare professionals, equipping them with the tools to identify sepsis in its early stages, particularly in high-risk groups such as paediatric patients and those with community-acquired infections. Additionally, the event will cover the crucial role microbiology plays in the evidence-based management of sepsis.
The session featured a lineup of expert presenters. Dr. Kanda Krishnamurthy, Paediatric Consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados and addressed sepsis recognition in children. Dr. Aldyth Buckland, a General Practitioner from Jamaica, will offer a compelling case study on sepsis in community settings. Finally, Dr. Marquita Gittens St. Hilaire, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, delved into the essential role of microbiology in diagnosing sepsis.
Free CSA Webinar: Sepsis and AMR in Veterinary Medicine – Nov 7, 2024
Sepsis is intricately related to antimicrobial resistance, and the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Veterinary medicine can have public health concerns. Transmission of multi-drug resistant strains between humans and animals also poses a risk to all. The aim of this webinar is to equip veterinarians/students and healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to identify factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals, enabling prompt and effective intervention to improve detection, treatment, and reduce transmission between species.
This free webinar takes place on Thursday, November 7th, 2024, from 5:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm AST.
Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance – Activities for Sepsis Awareness Month
The Caribbean Sepsis and Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance was launched in May 2024 and our teams across the region embarked on unchartered territory in raising Sepsis education and awareness across the region. Recognizing the critical need to address sepsis—a life-threatening condition resulting from infection—the alliance is focused on educating healthcare professionals and the public about its prevention, recognition, and management.
The initiative began with a webinar entitled “Early Sepsis recognition saves lives” which was attended by 300 persons across the region. This activity emphasizes the importance of prompt treatment, which can drastically improve patient outcomes.
In addition to healthcare professionals, the alliance is also targeting community awareness. Public campaigns aim to inform the general populace about the risks of sepsis, highlighting symptoms such as fever, increased heart rate, and confusion. By fostering a better understanding of sepsis, the alliance hopes to encourage timely medical attention and reduce the incidence of severe cases. Public outreach activities were conducted across Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, reaching many persons who were unaware of the condition.
The alliance is addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing responsible antibiotic use to prevent complications from infections. By combining these efforts, the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance is paving the way for improved health outcomes, ultimately saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems across the region.
Trinidad and Tobago
1. Webinar: Early sepsis recognition saves lives
Date: September 13th, 2024 – World Sepsis Day
Presenter 1: Dr Kanda Krishnamurthy (Barbados)
Topic: Recognition of sepsis in pediatric patients
Presenter 2: Dr Aldyth Buckland (Jamaica)
Topic: Sepsis in the community setting: A case study
Presenter 3: Dr Marquita Gittens St Hilaire (Barbados)
Topic: Diagnosing Sepsis: The Role of the Microbiology Laboratory
This event was awarded Continuing Medical Education credits through the Caribbean College of Family Physicians.
2. Public Awareness Outreach activity:
REPUBLIC BANK’S SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXPO, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad.
Date: 13th and 14th September 2024
Members of the CSA along with the Youth Arm were present at the Sustainability Expo over the 2 days and gathered support for the Mt. Hope Declaration as well as educating the public on the signs, symptoms, and dangers of sepsis. QR codes were generated to align with the sustainability theme and the booth was visited by more than 300 persons.
3. Public Outreach activity:
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, Trinidad.
Date: 20th September 2024
This exercise was conducted by members of the CSA and the Youth Arm who distributed flyers to members of the public and at the University Campus.
4. Public Education Campaign via Social Media:
The "13 Days of Sepsis Awareness" campaign is a social media initiative for Sepsis Awareness Month, running throughout September. It consists of 13 posts, each featuring a unique digital graphic with important education on sepsis. The campaign was timed to build momentum leading up to World Sepsis Day on September 13th and continued until the end of September. During this time, we were able to reach almost 1,000 Instagram users.
Jamaica
Sepsis Education and Outreach Church Service and Health Information Session
This was an information Session on Sepsis and focussed on the importance of Hand Hygiene and distribution of sepsis bookmarks
September 7, 2024
Smile Jamaica Morning TV Show
A live interview for Sepsis Awareness Health on a Major National Television Station TVJ
September 11, 2024
• Radio Interviews: Increasing Public Awareness
NCU FM Radio Interview World Sepsis Day Awareness Segment
September 13, 2024, at 7:45 AM
Jamaica Information Service- Radio Interview
September 16, 2024
Power 106 Radio Interview Sepsis Information Segment
September 13, 2024, at 7:45 AM
National Library and Libraries in The University
Sepsis Information Exhibit on Display
September 13, 2024
Sepsis Education in Primary Schools: Sepsis Information Sessions for Children
New Providence Primary – September 11, 2024
Mona Prep – September 12, 2024
Gordon Town Primary – September 18, 2024
Kingsway – September 19, 2024
Annual Symposium September 29, 2024
Sepsis Webinar Series CARCAN Microbiology and Infectious Disease Rounds
September 30 - October 1, 2024
Media Release: 2024 World Sepsis Day Under the Patronage of WHO Director-General and Federal Minister of Health of Germany
For the 13th year, the global health community is coming together to commemorate World Sepsis Day on September 13, 2024 (WSD 2024).
WSD 2024 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the global fight against sepsis as the Global Sepsis Alliance launches the very first multi-year strategy – the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis.
Building on the successes of immunization, AIDS, and other programs, the 2030 Global Agenda envisions making sepsis the next major success story in global health. This vision inspires the theme for World Sepsis Day 2024: “Next Success Story in Global Health: Could It Be Sepsis?”
Patronage of 2024 World Sepsis Day
The Global Sepsis Alliance is honored that Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Health of Germany, have extended their official patronage to World Sepsis Day 2024. The video message from Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus and the written message from Federal Minister Lauterbach are inspiration for our further, even stronger fight against sepsis.
BMG/Thomas Ecke
“Undetected or untreated sepsis is a death sentence. This is why sepsis needs to be classed as an acute emergency. If medical treatment is not provided in time, the body’s immune response can cause irreversible harm to the organs. Claiming 85,000 lives a year, sepsis is the third-most frequent cause of death in Germany. Twice as many people die in hospitals from sepsis than from stroke and heart attack combined. While many people are aware of the signs of a stroke or heart attack, too few people know about sepsis.
Everyone should therefore familiarize themselves with the potential symptoms of sepsis so that when they themselves or others around them are feeling severely ill, they might also think of sepsis.
Among the population as a whole but also among medical staff sepsis must be given higher priority so it is considered earlier on when symptoms are severe.
World Sepsis Day, whose patronage I gladly took on, is also helping to raise awareness about sepsis. In Germany, we are also working to boost awareness of the symptoms of sepsis with the “Germany recognizes sepsis” campaign.
Sepsis can also be the result of antibiotic treatment becoming ineffective on account of the germs having developed resistance. Measures to ensure appropriate use of antibiotics also help to prevent instances of sepsis. This is why sepsis is one of the focal points of the new German Antibiotic Resistance Strategy.
The sepsis resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2017 calls on every country to take up the fight against sepsis by means of improved diagnostics, appropriate use of antibiotics as well as targeted knowledge transfer.
At my initiative, in 2022 the G7 Health Ministers once more pledged their support to the cause. Here, collaboration and sharing best practices are vital. And that is what the World Sepsis Day stands for.
Thank you all for your work in detecting and preventing sepsis. I hope that all the initiatives and events of this year’s World Sepsis Day reach the broadest audience possible.”
About the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis
The 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis is the first global strategy developed under the leadership of the Global Sepsis Alliance, with the engagement of 70 partner and member organizations from GSA and Regional Sepsis Alliances across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
The Global Sepsis Alliance officially launched the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Parliament on September 10, 2024. This historic event was led by the Chair of the Global Health Sub-Committee in the German Bundestag. It was held in partnership with the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, the Virchow Foundation, and Sepsis Stiftung.
Sepsis survivors and families who have lost loved ones to sepsis played a crucial role in the development of this document. Their advocacy has led to significant changes in countries such as the United States, Belgium, and France. They are ready to become even stronger advocates, aiming to reduce sepsis-related deaths by at least 2 million annually before 2030.
The 2030 Global Agenda highlights the significant human, societal, and economic burden of sepsis and underscores that achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require stronger action against sepsis.
Sepsis remains a major global health issue, accounting for 1 in every 5 deaths worldwide and affecting 48.9 million people. Newborns, children under the age of 5, women, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to this medical emergency.
Every year, sepsis causes at least 11 million deaths, yet it remains largely invisible in global health discussions and frameworks. Recent estimates suggest that sepsis claims 13.7 million lives annually.
Of the estimated 13.7 million sepsis-related deaths each year, approximately 4.95 million are associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Yet, compared to the critically important challenge of AMR, sepsis continues to receive disproportionately low political attention and investments.
With 5.7 million maternal sepsis cases and 2.9 million deaths among children under five annually, achieving health-related SDGs for 2030 is unattainable without fundamental changes in the global response to sepsis. Enhancing sepsis responses can also accelerate progress toward eight additional SDGs by addressing gender inequality, improving universal health coverage (UHC), and strengthening pandemic preparedness.
The economic impact of sepsis is substantial. Sepsis accounts for 2.65% of healthcare budgets, with a median hospital cost of €36,191 per septic patient.
Sepsis survivors often face long-term consequences and require specialized care and rehabilitation, which is frequently unavailable even in countries with robust healthcare systems.
Seven years after the adoption of the historic World Health Assembly Resolution, only 15 countries—less than 10% of UN Member States—have developed national action plans or policies for sepsis.
Finally, the document outlines a shared vision for making sepsis the next success story in global health through the following actions.
Urgent and Adequate Political Attention: Sepsis affects nearly 50 million people annually and requires immediate political attention and investment. This includes support from national governments, international development aid, global public-private partnerships (such as GAVI and the Global Fund), philanthropic foundations, the private sector, and innovative funding mechanisms like UNITAID.
Whole-of-Society Approach: It is crucial to continuously raise awareness about sepsis within families and communities, emphasizing that it is a medical emergency that demands immediate care. Every member of our communities has a role in this global fight. Actions should be taken at national, regional, and international levels, ranging from policy and health system strengthening to media outreach and community-level activities.
Innovative Solutions: We need new and more effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, antibiotics, immunomodulatory therapies, and rehabilitation resources for sepsis survivors. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be developed to detect sepsis early and provide timely, life-saving treatment.
Improving Data and Accountability: Sepsis-related data is limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which bear 85% of the global sepsis burden. There is a need for more comprehensive and high-quality data, along with stronger accountability mechanisms for governments and other key stakeholders.
Preparedness for Future Threats: Based on the COVID-19 experience, future pandemics will increase sepsis incidence and mortality. The 120 ongoing armed conflicts globally, 362 million children in humanitarian crises, and climate change also highlight the need for better protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and military/peacekeeping personnel from increased risks of sepsis.
Join Our Efforts in Making Sepsis the Next Success Story in Global Health
With the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, we have a unique opportunity to make sepsis the Next Success Story in global health and save millions of children, women, and men from this global threat.
The document has already received technical inputs from WHO Geneva and Regional Offices and endorsements from 29 organizations across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin, and North America.
The Global Sepsis Alliance is calling its members, partners, and multiple stakeholders to support the 2030 Global Agenda as the common roadmap to saving lives from unnecessary deaths and disabilities.
Interested organizations from public, private, academic, and civil society sectors can endorse and support the implementation of the document by contacting us.
Please join us in celebrating the 2024 World Sepsis Day and supporting the successful implementation of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis.
More About the 2024 World Sepsis Day Theme
This year’s theme embodies two key messages. The global health community is well-equipped with proven knowledge and the shared vision outlined in the 2030 Global Agenda to make the global sepsis fight the next success story. The question “Could It Be Sepsis?!” has proven effective in raising awareness, building capacity and saving thousands of lives in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. Our goal is to expand these local successes to a global scale.
About the Global Sepsis Alliance
The GSA is a non-profit charity organization with the mission to provide global leadership to reduce the worldwide burden of sepsis. The GSA is the initiator of World Sepsis Day on September 13 and World Sepsis Congress, a series of free online congresses bringing knowledge about sepsis to all parts of the world, among other initiatives.
The GSA works closely with its over 120 member organizations, patient advocacy groups, professional societies, healthcare authorities, and governments to implement changes on how sepsis is prioritized, diagnosed, and treated all around the world, as laid out in the WHO Resolution on Sepsis.
Download Press Release
You can download this media release as a PDF here.
Media Contact
For all inquiries, please contact Simone Mancini, Partnership Lead at the Global Sepsis Alliance.
CSA Webinar: Early Sepsis Recognition: Saving Lives Through Timely Intervention – September 13, 2024
Update Oct 24, 2024: The recording of the webinar is now available to rewatch here.
Original article:
On September 13th, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM AST, the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance will host a must-attend virtual webinar in recognition of World Sepsis Day. Offering 1 CME credit (pending approval), this event is specifically designed for healthcare professionals who play a critical role in patient care, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, first responders, pharmacists, medical students, residents, and healthcare administrators.
With the theme "Early Sepsis Recognition: Saving Lives Through Timely Intervention," the webinar emphasizes the urgent need for early detection and rapid response to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs. If left untreated, it can quickly escalate to organ failure and death. However, early recognition can dramatically reduce mortality rates. This webinar will provide invaluable insights to healthcare professionals, equipping them with the tools to identify sepsis in its early stages, particularly in high-risk groups such as paediatric patients and those with community-acquired infections. Additionally, the event will cover the crucial role microbiology plays in the evidence-based management of sepsis.
The session features a lineup of expert presenters. Dr. Kanda Krishnamurthy, Paediatric Consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, will address sepsis recognition in children. Dr. Aldyth Buckland, a General Practitioner from Jamaica, will offer a compelling case study on sepsis in community settings. Finally, Dr. Marquita Gittens St. Hilaire, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, will delve into the essential role of microbiology in diagnosing sepsis. The webinar will conclude with an engaging Q&A session.
Programme:
12:00 PM - 12:05 PM: Introduction
12:05 PM - 12:20 PM: Recognition of Sepsis in Pediatric Patients – Dr. Kanda Krishnamurthy
12:20 PM - 12:35 PM: Sepsis in the Community Setting: A Case Study – Dr. Aldyth Buckland
12:35 PM - 12:50 PM: Diagnosing Sepsis: The Role of the Microbiology Laboratory – Dr. Marquita Gittens St. Hilaire
12:50 PM - 1:00 PM: Q&A Segment
Participants will have the opportunity to test their knowledge with 6-8 multiple-choice questions, ensuring the lessons are well understood and can be applied in practice. A post-webinar survey will further gather feedback on both the content and technical delivery.
This webinar is more than just a learning session—it is an opportunity to enhance your ability to save lives by recognizing the early signs of sepsis and acting quickly. Don’t miss this chance to expand your expertise in sepsis care and make a direct impact on patient survival.
Welcome to the New Website of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance
Welcome to the new website of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance – we hope you like it.
We are just getting started, so please excuse it looking a little rough around the edges, and some sections still under construction. We are working on adding more content soon.
If you want to contribute, join, or get in touch, please contact us!
Unveiling the New Logo of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance
Today, we are excited to unveil the new logo of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance.
We are looking forward to hearing what you think about the logo – please give us feedback on our new X account or via our contact form.
We are just getting started, so if you want to join our fight against sepsis, please contact us to become involved.
Looking Back at the Launch Event of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance
We are pleased to announce the successful launch of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance, at a historic event hosted by the University of the West Indies on May 26.
The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance was established under the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago and support from co-founding members from Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana.
GSA looks forward to making a historic breakthrough in the sepsis response in the region in close collaboration with the founding members of the Caribbean Alliance and the continued leadership of Prof. Niranjan “Tex” Kissoon - GSA President.
The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance will be the 6th official regional representation of the Global Sepsis Alliance and GSA will host the official website of the Caribbean Alliance.
“A Caribbean where sepsis is recognized early and treated effectively, thereby reducing deaths and improving patient outcomes.”
The launch event of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus on May 26, featured a series of insightful presentations from leading scholars and public health experts.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Professor Hariharan Seetharaman - Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of West Indies, Professor Mala Rao - Senior Clinical Fellow of Imperial College London, and a representative of EarthMedic and EarthNurse Foundation for Planetary Health.
Dr. Satish Jankie – Lecturer of the University of the West Indies, introduced the mission and objectives of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance. The mission of the Alliance is to reduce the incidence and mortality of sepsis through improved awareness, early detection, and effective treatment.
The current state of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Caribbean was presented by Dr. Rajiv Nagessar - Medical Officer in Microbology presenting data and strategies to mitigate this growing problem.
Dr. Darren Dookhiearam – Senior Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago focused on Sepsis in the Community Setting, offering insights into the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and focused on the importance of timely detection and timely antibiotic treatment.
In his presentation, Dr. Dale Ventour – UWI Lecturer in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care explored Sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit, sharing the challenges and management of sepsis and highlighting the reasons why the establishment of the Caribbean Alliance is important.
Dr. Lisa Benjamin – UWI Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health discussed the Anti-Microbial Resistance in Veterinary Medicine, highlighting the interconnectedness of human and animal health.
The program continued with a Keynote Address by Prof. Niranjan 'Tex' Kissoon, President of the Global Sepsis Alliance. Prof. Kissoon highlighted the critical importance of the unified approach to combat sepsis and AMR worldwide and expressed his enthusiasm for the new alliance and stronger regional collaboration for combating sepsis and improving patient outcomes.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Sandeep Maharaj, Director of the School of Pharmacy at the University of West Indies. He reiterated the significance of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance and thanked all the participants and speakers for their valuable contributions.
The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance represents a unified effort to address the burden of sepsis in the region and is one step closer to improving healthcare across the Caribbean.
We are thrilled to launch the CSA and look forward to close collaboration with the healthcare leaders in the region to address the burden of sepsis and AMR.
At the time of the launch event in May, this website didn’t exist yet. This news article has been retroactively published here for the sake of completeness.