Reading List

The links below are official guidance and primary sources used in this course. NICE NG253 is the main clinical reference for suspected sepsis in people aged 16 or over. Also included are NHS and care-regulation resources from across the UK. Always follow your employer's local escalation pathway.

Core NICE Guidance

• NICE NG253: Suspected sepsis in people aged 16 or over
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng253
  The primary guideline for this course, covering recognition, assessment, early management and escalation for people aged 16 or over who are not pregnant or recently pregnant.
• NICE NG253: Could this be sepsis?
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng253/chapter/Could-this-be-sepsis
  Explains when to consider sepsis, why symptoms may be non-specific or fever absent, and which groups need extra vigilance.
• NICE NG253: Face-to-face assessment
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng253/chapter/Face-to-face-assessment
  Sets out the observations and history required in suspected sepsis: temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, consciousness, oxygen saturation, urine output and skin signs.
• NICE NG253: Evaluating risk
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng253/chapter/Evaluating-risk
  Contains the community risk-stratification table for high-risk and moderate- to high-risk criteria in people aged 16 or over, which informs escalation thresholds.
• NICE NG253: Managing suspected sepsis
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng253/chapter/Managing-suspected-sepsis
  Explains when people in community settings should be referred for emergency care, usually by 999 ambulance, and how to provide advice and safety-netting for lower-risk cases.

NHS and Care-Home Context

• NHS: Symptoms of sepsis
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
  Public NHS information on symptoms, when to call 999 or 111, and why sepsis can be hard to spot in people with dementia, learning disabilities or communication difficulties.
• NHS England: Sepsis
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/clinical-policy/sepsis/
  An overview emphasising that early identification and treatment improve survival and that detection can be difficult.
• NHS England: Supporting care homes to identify deterioration
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/supporting-care-homes-to-identify-deterioration/
  Explains why care-home staff need to recognise early deterioration and which healthcare services to contact for help.
• NHS England: Easy read information - Sepsis
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/easy-read-information-sepsis/
  Accessible information for people with learning disabilities and others who benefit from simplified materials. Covers avoiding sepsis, spotting signs and post-sepsis problems.

Nation Signposting and Regulation

• NHS 111 Wales: Sepsis
  https://111.wales.nhs.uk/Sepsis/
  Wales-facing information on symptoms, when to call 999 or 111, risk groups and recovery after sepsis.
• NHS inform: Sepsis
  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/sepsis/
  Scotland-facing NHS information on symptoms, causes, treatment and recovery, useful for four-nations signposting.
• Public Health Agency Northern Ireland: Sepsis
  https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/sepsis
  Northern Ireland public-health leaflet on recognising sepsis and what to do if someone may have it.
• CQC Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-12
  England regulatory guidance on safe care, risk assessment, infection prevention and control, emergency arrangements, staff competence and multi-agency working.
• Care Inspectorate Wales
  https://www.careinspectorate.wales/
  Welsh care providers should follow Welsh regulation, local health-board pathways and employer policy for deterioration and sepsis escalation.
• Care Inspectorate Scotland
  https://www.careinspectorate.com/
  Scottish care providers should follow Scottish regulation, NHS Scotland guidance and local escalation pathways.
• RQIA Northern Ireland
  https://www.rqia.org.uk/
  Northern Ireland care providers should follow RQIA expectations, local HSC pathways and employer procedures for urgent clinical deterioration.

Specialist Related Guidance

• NICE CG151: Neutropenic sepsis
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg151
  Guidance for suspected neutropenic sepsis. Care staff do not manage this independently, but the guidance is relevant when a resident is receiving or has recently received cancer or immunosuppressive treatment.