A/Professor Naomi Hammond
RNSH secures national research grant for post-sepsis care A team of researchers has secured more than $1.5 million to develop the first national models of care for patients who’ve experienced sepsis. Currently, up to 70 per cent of survivors return to hospital within a year of discharge. Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. It can lead to shock, failure of multiple organs and death. Globally, sepsis affects 49 million people each year and causes 11 million deaths, making it the leading cause of death from infection around the world. In Australia, it claims more than 8,700 lives each year. Chief Investigator Associate Professor Naomi Hammond said an estimated 55,000 Australians experience sepsis each year, with 18,000 adults ending up in intensive care. “Leaving hospital does not mean you’ve left sepsis behind. Adult survivors experience a reduced quality of life that can impact mobility, cause psychological problems and exacerbate pre-existing chronic conditions. They also face an increased risk of death in subsequent months and years,” she explained. For children, up to 40 per cent experience physical consequences like amputations, and cognitive impairment impacting their development and education. “Currently, health services focus on the acute illness, despite the bleak legacy sepsis leaves. We want to change that by focusing on what happens once a person leaves hospital, so we can ultimately improve the long-term outcomes for all sepsis survivors,” she said. “This program of work has been co-designed with the Sepsis Australia Consumer Partner and Advocacy Program, and we’re all incredibly excited and appreciative of the NHMRC’s Partnership Project grant as it is our first significant grant dedicated to post sepsis follow- up.” she added. The funding will help identify gaps in health services, develop follow-up models of care and test strategies for adult and paediatric sepsis survivors and their families.
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 17| 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
10
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online