Number of people dying in hospital from sepsis surges by a third in two years to nearly 16,000
HOSPITAL sepsis deaths rose by more than a third in two years, figures suggest.
Some 15,722 are thought to have died after getting it in 2016/17, up from 11,328 in 2015/16.
Prof Sir Brian Jarman, from Imperial College London, says staff shortages and ward overcrowding are partly to blame.
But health chiefs say it is likely to be due to increased awareness and better diagnosis.
Sepsis, a complication of infection, occurs when the body overreacts to something as simple as a cut and can result in multiple organ failure.
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Sir Brian, an expert in patient safety, compiled the data from 134 acute non-specialist NHS trusts.
Dr Ron Daniels, from the UK Sepsis Trust, said the condition kills up to 44,000 a year in the UK — in and out of hospital.
He said: “It’s essential to spot it early and deliver the basics of care quickly.”
Spider agony: Mum lucky not to contract sepsis after bite
Nicola Martin was lucky to escape contracting deadly sepsis
A MUM suffered agonising pain and was told she was lucky not have contracted deadly sepsis after she was bitten on the bum by a cellar spider at home.
Nicola Martin, 30, spent three days in hospital after an allergic reaction to the venom of the critter, which has long legs and a tiny body.
Her heart rate soared and she suffered chest pains as a hard black lump grew. Fearing sepsis, doctors stabilised her with antibiotics in Burnley, Lancashire.
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