The Commission supports the safety and quality of health care for older people. This page contains resources that support the delivery of high-quality care of older people across all care settings.
The Commission has developed culturally appropriate resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to raise awareness of sepsis.
A reasonable adjustment is a change to an existing approach or process which is essential to ensure a person’s access to a service. Making reasonable adjustment for a person’s disability creates an inclusive environment and facilitates meeting the NSQHS Standards.
Information for healthcare services to guide practice and monitor improvement using the clinical care standard, and resources to support implementation.
The Sepsis Clinical Care Standard describes the health care that should be provided to patients with signs and symptoms of sepsis. It also addresses the care that should be provided in hospital and after discharge, including survivorship.
Guidance for clinicians on the seven quality statements from the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard, as well as helpful resources.
Indicators have been developed to support monitoring of the care recommended in the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard. Clinicians and healthcare services can use the indicators to support local quality improvement activities.
A patient who has survived sepsis receives individualised follow-up care to optimise functional outcomes, minimise recurrence, reduce rehospitalisation and manage the ongoing health effects of sepsis. This requires structured, holistic and coordinated post-discharge care and education that involves the patient, their family, carer, general practitioner and other clinicians.
Support and information are provided to the family or carer of a patient who has died from sepsis.
A patient with known or suspected sepsis has a documented clinical handover at transitions of care. This includes the provisional sepsis diagnosis, comorbidities, and the management plan for medicines and medical conditions. This information is provided to the patient, their family and carer as appropriate.
A patient, their family or carer is informed about sepsis from the time that it is suspected in a way that they can understand. Information includes the expected treatment and potential health effects of sepsis. Information is provided verbally and in writing.
The Sepsis Clinical Care Standard includes seven quality statements describing the key components of care that a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis should receive so that the risk of death or ongoing morbidity is reduced.
Sepsis is a complex, multisystem disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. A patient with sepsis has their treatment in hospital coordinated by a clinician with expertise in managing patients with sepsis.
A patient with suspected sepsis has blood cultures taken immediately, ensuring that this does not delay the administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. When signs of infection-related organ dysfunction are present, appropriate antimicrobials are started within 60 minutes. Antimicrobial therapy is managed in line with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard, including a review within 48 hours from the first dose.
