A short survey on GP practices’ approach (structure and process) for managing sepsis
Authors: Wilcock M , Motta M , Trevan L 
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Sepsis poses a challenge for general practice, and sepsis awareness raising amongst healthcare professionals is a priority, with general practices expected to have an identified sepsis lead who has updated staff.1 The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) made sepsis a clinical priority to raise awareness of how appropriate GP action could have an impact.2 In September 2020, locality-based prescribing meetings were held focusing on sepsis. For the 2021/22 General Practice Prescribing Quality Scheme it was decided to ascertain what practices had in place to manage suspected sepsis.

Aim

To assess whether GP practices in Cornwall have the structure and processes in place to manage sepsis.

Methods

A pre-piloted paper survey, based on a literature review, was delivered to all practices. There were seven questions (mixture of closed questions and questions allowing expanded answers, and a free text comment option). The sepsis lead GP responded on behalf of the practice. Survey completion, along with completion of other elements of the Prescribing Quality Scheme, generated an incentive payment to practices. This service evaluation did not require ethical approval.

Results

Fifty-one of 57 (89%) surgeries responded. When asked if all practice staff were familiar with the terminology “Red Flag Sepsis’, 36 replied yes, 4 replied only clinical staff, and 11 no. Receptionist training on this topic had occurred in 33 practices, but not in 18. All 51 replied they had the necessary equipment readily available to assess patients with possible sepsis. As regards intravenous antibiotics routinely stocked in the practice, five had none, and for those that kept antibiotics it was a mixture of benzylpenicillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or Tazocin. Thirty-seven were unable to take a blood culture prior to first dose of antibiotics for a patient with Red Flag Sepsis, including one highlighting such a patient would have immediate hospital referral. Fourteen answered yes to this question, including one also highlighting immediate hospital referral. Thirty-five practices had a safety-net resource aligning with NICE guidance3 for giving to adults, parents and carers being managed in the community, whilst ten said no and 5 clarified that they give verbal advice but no written information. Fifteen had implemented change in their practice that they would share with other practices though only 12 provided brief details. Free text comments generated themes around staff training, including administration of IV antibiotics by GPs, and whether practices should be taking blood cultures and associated practical issues.

Discussion/Conclusion

The RCGP states that ideally all staff in a sepsis aware practice will have had education about sepsis.2 We found this had not occurred in 18/51 (35%) practices, and in 11/51 (22%) practices staff appeared unfamiliar with the terminology “Red Flag Sepsis’. The issue of taking blood cultures (73% said they were unable to do this) generated concerns and further discussion with Microbiology colleagues is needed. Practices have identified actions to be taken subsequent to this survey. We recognise limitations of a small survey from late 2021 conducted in a single centre in England, possibly subject to social-desirability bias.

References

1. NHS England. CCG Improvement and Assessment Framework 2017/18: Technical Annex NHS England: Central Analytical team. Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ccg-technical-annex-2017-18-v1-1.pdf

2. Royal College of General Practitioners. Sepsis toolkit [Internet]. Available from: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/sepsis-toolkit.aspx

3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management. (NICE guideline 51). 2016. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng51