ESA launches Call to Action for EU institutions and member states at the European Parliament
In light of the recent findings highlighting significant deficiencies in sepsis care across European hospitals, the European Sepsis Alliance (ESA) is set to launch a comprehensive call to action today during its 8th Annual Meeting at the European Parliament. This initiative seeks to address the critical gaps in sepsis management and improve patient outcomes across Europe.
Survey Reveals Gaps in Sepsis Care
A recent European Sepsis Care Survey assessed the status of sepsis care in European hospitals. The findings, published on the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine indicate considerable room for improvement, particularly concerning early identification and standardized management of sepsis. Notably, the availability of guidelines, diagnostic and therapeutic infrastructure, and the implementation of Quality Improvement Initiatives (QIIs) were found lacking. These deficiencies underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to enhance the quality of sepsis care across Europe.
Sepsis Survivors Advocate for a European Sepsis Plan
In October 2024, sepsis survivors published a compelling call to EU leaders in The Lancet, urging the development of a European Sepsis Plan. They emphasised the necessity of clinical pathways that encompass the entire patient journey—from initial symptoms at home to emergency care, intensive care units, rehabilitation, and return to home. The call also highlighted the importance of national public health campaigns to educate the public about sepsis, noting that 80% of cases develop outside hospital settings.
ESA's Seven-Point Call to Action
Responding to these pressing issues, the ESA's call to action comprises seven key recommendations:
Develop and Implement a European Sepsis Strategy and Plan: In alignment with the sepsis survivors' appeal, the ESA urges the creation of a comprehensive European Sepsis Strategy and Plan to coordinate efforts across member states.
Design and Implement National Sepsis Plans: Based on existing best practices, the ESA advocates for the development of National Sepsis Plans. These plans should integrate sepsis awareness and recognition, rapid response mechanisms, inclusion in medical curricula, and personnel training within national healthcare systems.
Recognize Sepsis as a Public Health Threat and Medical Emergency: The ESA calls for the acknowledgment of sepsis as a significant public health threat and medical emergency, closely linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pandemic preparedness. We recommend integrating sepsis-related prevention and response measures into the work plans of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
Integrate Sepsis Care into European Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines: To standardise care, the ESA emphasises the need to incorporate sepsis management protocols into European IPC guidelines.
Fund Public Awareness Campaigns on Sepsis: Building on successful national campaigns in countries like Germany and the United Kingdom, the ESA advocates for European-level funding of public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about sepsis.
Prioritize Sepsis-Specific Grants within EU Academic and Research Cooperation: The ESA recommends allocating specific grants within EU programs such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ to support research and development in novel prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and post-sepsis care solutions. This includes new vaccines, rapid pathogen detection tools, artificial intelligence applications, antimicrobials, immunomodulatory therapies, precision medicine, and alternative treatments like phage therapy.
Initiate an EU Parliamentary Resolution on Sepsis: To elevate political attention and foster a coordinated approach, the ESA calls for the initiation of a European parliamentary resolution on sepsis.
The ESA exhorts organisations to join the already 17 signatories in supporting and co-sign the call to action. which represents a pivotal step toward addressing the substantial challenges in sepsis care across Europe. Please contact Simone Mancini, GSA Regional Sepsis Alliances Coordinator. By implementing these recommendations, European institutions and member states can work collaboratively to enhance sepsis management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of this life-threatening condition.