September – Harm Free Care Month

We will be raising awareness of the range of important workstreams led by our Harm Free Care Leaders throughout the month of September.

Sepsis

World Sepsis Day – Tuesday 13 September

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death – especially if not recognized early and treated promptly. Sepsis is the final common pathway to death from most infectious diseases worldwide, including viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19.

Sepsis often presents as the clinical deterioration of common and preventable infections such as those of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract, or of wounds and skin. Sepsis is frequently under-diagnosed at an early stage – when it still is potentially reversible.

Watch our video explaining Newcastle’s Deteriorating Patient Pathway.

There is more information about how we calculate RISK and NEWS2 in Newcastle as well as Policies, Safety Netting, screening and treatment tools, posters, leaflets, podcasts and more on the Intranet.

Harm Free Care Trolley Dash – coming to a ward near you!

The Harm Free Care trolley dash was initiated to provide face to face spot education for staff in their clinical area. Our current focus is urinary tract infection (UTI), catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention and intravenous (IV) lines management and care.

The trolley dash will be running regularly across both the Freeman and the RVI. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like a dash in your clinical area.

Amy Griffiths – Harm Free Care Nurse Specialist UTI / CAUTI
Email amy.griffiths15@nhs.net

Pasqua Fitzgibbon – Harm Free Care Nurse Specialist IV / Lines
Email pasqua.fitzgibbon@nhs.net