Maternal Sepsis Pathway
Neonatal Sepsis Pathway
Escalating Concerns
General Facts About Sepsis
Sepsis Actions
100

Name Three Signs and Symptoms that could indicate Maternal Sepsis  

 Myalgia, back pain, general malaise, headache Unexplained abdominal pain, distension Vomiting, diarrhoea New confusion, change in behaviour or altered level of consciousness History of fevers, rigors or feeling cold Flu-like symptoms, cough, sputum, breathless Breast, wound or line redness, swelling, pain (including epidural block site) Dysuria, oliguria, frequency, odour 

100

When is it appropriate to use the Neonatal Sepsis Pathway? (Age group) 

Use the Neonatal Sepsis Pathway for neonates (babies up to 28 days corrected age) in any clinical setting to support recognition and management of sepsis 

100

Is Sepsis a Medical Emergency? 

Yes 

100

If Someone Asks ' COULD IT BE SEPSIS?' what should be your response? 

Listen

Look 

Act 

to recognise sepsis or rule it out

100

What are some of the actions that are included in the "resuscitate' section of the Maternal Sepsis Pathway? 

1 - Get Help 

2 - commence monitoring

3- Obtain Access and Collect Pathology

4 - Commence Fluid resuscitation 

5 - Commence Antibiotics

200

Name three risk Factors for Maternal Sepsis 

Recent surgery, procedure, wound At risk of intrauterine infection (prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labour, retained products of conception, fetal tachycardia) Immunocompromised, chronic illness Indwelling medical device or line Iron-deficiency anaemia Unwell children, household members Concern by woman, family, clinician Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

200

What are three of the signs or symptoms that may alert you to possible sepsis? 

 Fever, hypothermia, temperature instability Pale, mottled, central cyanosis Lethargy, poor feeding, floppy / poor tone Apnoea(s) New or worsening signs of respiratory distress New rash, red umbilicus, cellulitis, joint swelling Seizure(s), abnormal movements, high pitched cry, irritability, increased tone, jitteriness Abdominal distension / tenderness, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool

200

What are your actions for a red zone breach in the ISLHD Maternity Service 

Rapid Response

Tier 1 - within 15 minutes 

Tier 2 - Immediate 

(Code Blue could also be indicated) 

200

How many people develop sepsis each year in Australia? 

a- 15000

b - 30000

c- 55000

d - 82000

55,000 people develop sepsis every year. 

200

What pathology is collected on the ,Maternal Sepsis Pathway? 

Lactate 

FBC/ UEC / LFTs / Fibrinogen / Coagulation Screen / VBG & CRP

Blood Cultures

Other cultures ie swabs / MSU

Blood Glucose Level

300

On the Maternal Sepsis Pathway - What are the 4 sections? 

 - Recognise 

 - Respond & Escalate

 - Resuscitate

 - Reassess & Refer

300

What are two Maternal Risk Factors that are recognised are risk factors on the Neonatal Sepsis Pathway?

Prolonged Ruptured membranes

Maternal Pyrexia (above or equal to 38C)

Maternal Infection 

GBS

Bacterial Growth on a placental Swab

Increased sepsis probability on Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis Pathway 

300

What Zone is a Maternal Temperature of 38.3o C on the Standard Maternal Observation Chart (SMOC) 

Yellow Zone


300

How many people die from sepsis related complications each year in Australia

a - 1400

b - 8000

c - 1250

d  - 2100 

8000 of the 55000 people that develop sepsis each year in Australia, die from sepsis related complications

300

In the 'Commence Fluid resuscitation' section of the Maternal Sepsis Pathway  what is recommended to be given as a bolus? 

1000mls sodium chloride 0.9% STAT

400

You use the Maternal Sepsis Pathway from 12 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks postpartum. True or False

False - You use the Maternal Sepsis Pathway for all pregnant women and up to 6 weeks postpartum, including perinatal loss, in any clinical setting to support the recognition and management of sepsis 

400

In the 'Resuscitation' section of the Neonatal Sepsis Pathway  - What pathology should be collected? 

Blood Cultures

Blood Gas

Lactate

Blood Glucose Level 


400

What would be your action if a woman on the sepsis pathway had a lactate of 5 mmol/L

Rapid Response and refer to the  Resuscitation plan

This woman has PROBABLE SEPSIS with a high risk of deterioration and SEPTIC SHOCK 

400

Where do you find information about the Sepsis Kills Program? 

The Clinical Excellence Commission website

the ISLHD Webpage


400

What are the recommended actions if there is ongoing hypotension? 

Consider commencement of vasopressors and escalate to Intensive Care or Retrieval service

500

In the "resuscitate' section of the Maternal Sepsis Pathway: What are the two recommended actions that you should undertake in the first 5 Minutes 

1. Get Help

Escalate as per local CERS

Consult with Obstetrician / Senior Clinician

2. Give oxygen as required to maintain SpO2 of 95% or above.  

500

In the "Reassess' Section of  The Neonatal Sepsis Pathway what ongoing monitoring is recommended?

Continue to monitor vital sign observations at a minimum frequency every 30 minutes for 2 hours, then hourly for 4 hours

500

When a Women is on the Maternal Sepsis Pathway how long do you continue to monitor her vital signs and fluid balance? 

Minimum of every 30 minutes for 2 hours and then hourly for 4 hours. Escalate to CERS if any signs of deterioration 

500

Where can I find some learning modules on Sepsis? 

My Health Learning:

Lots of sepsis related courses including: 

It is part of the Maternal Safety Education  - Maternal Sepsis. 

Emergency Module 13 - recognizing and responding to Sepsis 



500

In the "reassess' Section of the Maternal Sepsis Pathway  - What timeframe is recommended for a repeat lactate? 

Within 2 hours