A group of researchers is drawing attention to significant deficiencies in sepsis policies and training standards across Canada, emphasizing the necessity for a cohesive national action plan to tackle sepsis. Sepsis, characterized as the body’s extreme reaction to an infection, stands as a prominent cause of mortality globally, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent sepsis-related deaths in Ontario have sparked discussions on hospital protocols.
In 2017, the World Health Assembly (WHA) urged member states to establish standards and guidelines for preventing, diagnosing early, and managing sepsis. Despite countries like the United Kingdom and Australia having developed national action plans, researchers, led by Dr. Kali Barrett, assert that Canada is still behind in meeting this call to action. Dr. Barrett, a critical care physician based in Toronto, stresses the urgency for governmental support in recognizing sepsis as a public health crisis.
A comprehensive literature review conducted by Barrett and her team unveiled the absence of sepsis-specific policies and guidelines in most provinces, including Ontario, along with deficient training and hospital accreditation standards. The research, currently under peer review, is set to be published in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia.
When CBC Toronto inquired about the lack of a consistent standard for assessing and treating sepsis and the potential development of a sepsis protocol in the province, the Ministry of Health refrained from addressing these queries, instead emphasizing the expectation for hospitals to maintain the highest patient care standards.
CBC News reached out to the Public Health Agency of Canada for comments on Canada’s progress in meeting the WHA’s call to action. In response, a spokesperson highlighted the funding of the research network Sepsis Canada by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and mentioned the Public Health Agency of Canada’s initiatives related to infectious diseases, which contribute to reducing sepsis cases.
Dr. Barrett advocates for a national action plan that involves coordinating efforts across different government levels to enhance sepsis recognition, treatment, and public education. While healthcare falls under provincial jurisdiction, she believes federal interventions are crucial to support a coherent approach to sepsis prevention and management.
Implementation of updated accreditation and training standards for hospitals is recommended, as the review identified a lack of sepsis recognition and treatment as specific learning objectives for various healthcare professionals. Dr. Barrett expresses concern over the “alarming” deficiency in training standards, emphasizing the critical importance of swift treatment in improving survival prospects.
Fatima Sheikh, a PhD candidate at McMaster University and co-author of the research, underscores the need for a unified action plan focusing on healthcare training and public awareness. Sheikh draws parallels to conditions like stroke, highlighting the necessity for heightened public awareness regarding sepsis as a life-threatening condition.
Sheikh’s research, which centers on health equity, underscores that a majority of sepsis cases originate from infections acquired outside healthcare settings. She emphasizes the association between factors like socioeconomic status, race, and gender with an increased sepsis risk, underscoring the significance of a coordinated strategy.
Tragedies, such as the case of a woman succumbing to septic shock post-childbirth, often serve as a catalyst for policy amendments. Dr. Barrett and Sheikh stress the importance of proactive policy implementation to prevent further fatalities and advocate for the establishment of a national sepsis strategy without waiting for additional tragedies.