In an encouraging development, a new rapid sepsis test has been developed by the University of Strathclyde.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
The new test uses a microelectrode to detect if one of the biomarkers of sepsis is present in the blood, with results coming through in two-and-a-half minutes.
At present, a blood test that aims to determine the best antibiotic to treat the infection can take up to 72 hours.
The researchers hope the low-cost test could come into everyday use in three to five years.
Having recently settled a long running compensation claim on behalf of a catastrophically injured child, I have seen first-hand the irreversible damage sepsis can cause.
My client, who is now 13, was the victim of medical negligence when she was nine months old. She was sent home from hospital despite suffering from a devastating staphylococcal illness resulting in sepsis; septic shock and organ failure. Unfortunately for my client, she had to have amputations of both her legs and she also suffered from brain injury.
Sepsis is one of the biggest killers in the UK, yet it can be treated relatively simply. The difficulty is in diagnosing it in the first place – and this new test could help.