On 8 October, at the occasion of the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting, Global Sepsis Alliance CEO, Dr Mariam Jashi, and Regional Alliances Coordinator, Simone Mancini, organised an outreach programme in Brussels, including encounters with key potential partner organisations, and Brussels based members.

Simone Mancini and Mariam Jashi at the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting.

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is a directorate-general of the European Commission created to prepare the EU for future pandemics. Its Civil Society Forum, of which the European Sepsis Alliance is a member, is a consultative body composed of organisations active in a broad range of public health policy areas and contributing to the definition of HERA’s strategy and initiatives. At the meeting, Dr Jashi stressed on the need to include sepsis awareness, early detection and treatment in the list of HERA priorities for 2025, considering its close relevance to other priorities, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A copy of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis was also well received by HERA representatives at the meeting.

Dr Jashi and Mr Mancini also met with Nicholas Brooke and Amanda Bok, respectively Executive Director and Chief Partnership Officer of The Synergist, a non-profit organization that facilitates multi-stakeholder collaborative programs to address complex societal challenges. They discussed possible ways to maximise the impact of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis and the outreach towards potential supporters and partners. Building on the valuable advices received, the exchange will continue in the coming months.

The GSA team with Frazer Goodwin and Milka Sokolović, EPHA.

The trip was also the opportunity to meet with the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), one of the major public health organisations bringing together healthcare professional, patient groups, and civil society organisations across Europe. Dr Jashi presented the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to EPHA Director General, Dr Milka Sokolović, and Senior Communications & Advocacy Manager, Frazer Goodwin. The two organisations share similar structure, challenges and ambitions and will continue the dialogue to identify possible areas of collaborations.

Mariam Jashi, GSA CEO, Marianne Haverkamp and Aurica Pria, ESA Patient and Family Support WG Co-Chairs, Simone Mancini, GSA Coordinator Regional Sepsis Alliances.

The day concluded with informal meetings with the Vice President of the GSA, Dennis Kredler, and later with the chairs of the European Sepsis Alliance Patient & Family Support Working Group, celebrating the recent nomination of sepsis survivor Marianne Haverkamp as co-chair. Dr Jashi shared the plan included in the 2030 Agenda to set up a Global Sepsis Patient Group, building on the experience of the ESA WG and of the call to action of the Paris Declaration, recently published on The Lancet.

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) and the European Sepsis Alliance (ESA) are proud to support Sepsis survivors in convening the first patient-led conference in Europe “Revealing the Burden of Sepsis”. The event will take place at the French Economic, Social and Environmental Committee (CESE) in Paris on 9 September.

This unique patient-driven conference will bring together the international sepsis community and will put at the centre of the discussion the profound impact of sepsis on patients, survivors, and their families. 

The presentations will share testimonials from sepsis survivors and families affected by this medical emergency, as well as experts’ perspectives on how to increase awareness globally and promote best practices in prevention, diagnostics, treatment and care for Sepsis.

The Global Sepsis Alliance CEO, Dr Mariam Jashi will join the conference in person and present the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis (the first multi-year global strategy), scheduled to launched on September 10 at the German Parliament.

Dr. Mariam Jashi - CEO, Global Sepsis Alliance.

“The 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis calls for active engagement of patients and families in awareness-raising and advocacy efforts for national policies, patient-focused protocols, novel vaccines, diagnostics, therapies and AI solutions for Sepsis. I applaud the organisers and participating patient organisations for this benchmarking event. We hope that the Paris conference and its outcome Call-for-Action from Sepsis survivors will help policymakers in the European region and globally to take relevant actions for reducing the heavy burden of Sepsis on individuals and broader societies”, said Dr. Mariam Jashi CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance.

To register and participate, either in-person or online, click on the button below.

The Global Sepsis Alliance is proud to celebrate a historic achievement in the fight against sepsis in Belgium. On Friday, May 31, the first-ever comprehensive report on sepsis has been officially handed over to the Belgian Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke.

This landmark event was made possible also through the dedication and efforts of GSA member Sepsibel, and the remarkable contributions of sepsis survivor Ilse Malfait. Her tireless dedication, courage, and advocacy have been instrumental in bringing the urgent issue of sepsis to the forefront of national health discussions.

The journey to this achievement began with a powerful TV report on Belgian national television VRT, which highlighted the devastating impact of sepsis. In response, Minister Vandenbroucke mandated Prof. Erika Vlieghe to produce a report for the preparation of a national action plan. Prof. Vlieghe swiftly mobilized a group of 62 experts from different disciplines, including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and sepsis survivors, who produced the report in just six months. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Vlieghe for her exceptional leadership and to all the experts and survivors who contributed to this groundbreaking report.

At the World Sepsis Day event on September 12, 2023.

The GSA and the European Sepsis Alliance have been early supporters of Sepsibel since its inception. Our collaboration has been driven by a shared goal to enhance sepsis awareness, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately save lives. Sepsibel’s rapid mobilization and effective advocacy efforts, exemplified by the work of Ilse Malfait, have been truly inspiring. Her personal journey as a sepsis survivor has brought a powerful and relatable voice to the cause, helping to raise awareness and drive change at a national level. Ilse shared her story at the GSA World Sepsis Day event on September 12, 2023.

Reflecting on this historic milestone, Prof. Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of the Global Sepsis Alliance, stated: “We congratulate Sepsibel, Ilse Malfait, Prof. Vlieghe, and Minister Vandenbroucke for achieving this historic milestone in record time. The swift production of this report within just six months is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of everyone involved. This achievement will undoubtedly pave the way for future advancements in sepsis awareness and management.”

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance joins Prof. Reinhart in his congratulatory note to Belgium colleagues and notes: “Minister Vandenbroucke demonstrated a truly remarkable leadership, and we hope Belgium will inspire other EU policymakers to urgently prioritize sepsis in national and regional health policies in line with the 2017 World Health Assembly Sepsis Resolution. Belgium has also demonstrated best practice for people-centered and evidence-based health policy-making through active engagement of multi-disciplinary teams and sepsis survivors in the dialogue. As the GSA, we are especially proud of Ilse Malfait and our esteemed colleagues at Sepsibel for their inspiring fight that led to this critically important achievement".  

As we celebrate this significant achievement, we remain focused on the future. The Global Sepsis Alliance will continue to support Sepsibel as we work towards the implementation of a national sepsis plan in Belgium.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to this milestone and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the fight against sepsis.

THE REPORT AT A GLANCE

The submission of this report is not just an achievement in itself, but it also marks the beginning of a crucial process. The ultimate objective is to develop a national sepsis plan for Belgium, a comprehensive strategy that will ensure better prevention, recognition, and management of sepsis across the country. This first step lays the groundwork for significant improvements in public health and patient care.

The Belgian Sepsis National Action Plan (Be-SNAP) focuses on seven key areas to combat sepsis:

Awareness and Knowledge:

• Increase public awareness and understanding of sepsis.

• Educate healthcare providers on early recognition and management of sepsis.

• Develop a National Sepsis Foundation to serve as a hub for educational materials and support.

Prevention and Safeguarding Antimicrobials:

• Strengthen healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations.

• Promote vaccination and infection prevention measures.

• Implement antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent the misuse of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance.

Early Warning Systems:

• Develop and validate sepsis screening tools for use in various healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities, primary care, and hospitals.

• Implement early warning scores and rapid response systems to detect and manage sepsis promptly.

Early Adequate Treatment:

• Ensure timely administration of antibiotics and supportive care.

• Provide large-scale education for healthcare providers on basic and advanced sepsis treatment.

• Guarantee 24/7 availability of specialized care teams for severe cases.

Care Trajectory for Sepsis Survivors:

• Develop a multidisciplinary rehabilitation pathway addressing physical, psychological, and neurological needs.

• Ensure seamless transition and follow-up care from hospital to home.

• Provide education on post-sepsis syndrome and support for survivors and their families.

Ethical Considerations and Advanced Care Planning:

• Educate healthcare providers and the public about advance care planning and critical illness outcomes.

• Support general practitioners and specialists in implementing advance care planning.

• Ensure the availability of advance directives for all relevant healthcare providers.

Research and Surveillance:

• Establish a Belgian sepsis registry to collect detailed data on sepsis cases.

• Promote sepsis research and international collaboration.

• Develop real-time analysis and reporting systems to monitor sepsis trends and improve patient care.

These pillars aim to reduce the incidence and impact of sepsis in Belgium through comprehensive strategies involving prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and continuous support for survivors. The plan emphasizes collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and patient advocacy groups to achieve these goals.

Ilse Malfait’s story is one of incredible human strengths, resilience, and perseverance. In May 2020, Ilse's life took an unexpected turn when she discovered a lump in her right breast. The initial plan involved chemotherapy, breast-conserving surgery, and radiation to combat the aggressive tumor. However, fate had a different agenda. "Four days after my first chemo treatment, severe stomach pain gripped me at night, leading to a rush to the hospital," Ilse recounts.

Her medical journey had unforeseen complications. "A few months earlier, I faced intestinal problems, and now it turned out I had an intestinal perforation. The emergency operation went well, but what followed was beyond anyone's expectations," she shares.  The evening after the intestinal operation, Ilse had so much stomach pain that she thought she was going to die. Increasing the pain medication did not help. Breathing problems, nausea, very low blood pressure, an increased heart rate, fever, and fainting: her condition deteriorated so much that she ended up in intensive care.

Ilse encountered septic shock, a diagnosis that surfaced only thirty hours after the first symptoms, bringing significant consequences. Originally slated for a week, her hospital stay stretched into a staggering 487 days, encompassing intensive care, medical oncology, and a year in the rehabilitation center. "I don't remember anything for the five or six weeks after the operation; I was in a coma," Ilse reflects. Transported to a university hospital in Ghent, her survival chances appeared slim. However, the dedication of the intensive care team saved her life. Unfortunately, the aftermath of sepsis and the medication led to insufficient blood flow, resulting in the amputation of her fingers and lower legs.

The initial four months post-sepsis are defined by Ilse as sheer survival. She faced excruciating pain, compounded by the inability to receive necessary breast cancer treatment due to her weakened heart. The sepsis forced a change in plans – chemotherapy was halted, and a breast-conserving procedure became impossible, ultimately leading to a complete mastectomy. A breathing tube deprived her of speech, food, and drink. The removal of the tube marked a turning point, allowing Ilse to reconnect with her family, express gratitude to the medical team, and savor the simple joys of conversation and meals.

The path to recovery was daunting, with intensive rehabilitation paving the way for Ilse to walk again with prostheses. The transition from a wheelchair to walking was a monumental feat, marked by challenges such as pain and difficulty reaching household items.

As Ilse's range expanded gradually, she faced the delicate balance of not overexerting herself, as stepping caused wounds on the stumps of her legs. Phantom pain in her legs, waking her up at 4 am every night, adds to the ongoing challenges. The struggle continues, but Ilse remains determined to push through. Ilse's cancer check-ups since then have been positive, and she has been declared cancer-free. However, lingering uncertainties persist due to the premature cessation of her chemotherapy.

Ilse Malfait at the Central World Sepsis Day Event in Berlin, 12 September 2023.

On 12 September 2023, Ilse spoke at the Central World Sepsis Day Event in Berlin, where she told her story to an international audience and called the Belgian government to action.

In November 2023, Ilse was featured in the documentary “Kwaad bloed” (Bad Blood) broadcasted by Belgian TV channel VRT. This documentary brought sepsis to the attention of the wider public and triggered a political debate, leading Belgian Minister for Health Frank Vandenbroucke to commission a report from Prof. Erika Vlieghe for a National Plan on Sepsis.

“Kwad bloed”, Pano, VRT.

This was a major success as only a few countries worldwide have implemented the World Health Assembly Resolution 70.7 on Sepsis, urging UN member states to integrate sepsis into their national health systems.

Ilse encapsulated her journey also in the book ‘Elk uur telt'‘ (Every Hour Counts), emphasizing the crucial need for swift intervention in septic shock. 

Now, Ilse actively contributes to the cause by co-founding the non-profit organization SEPSIBEL, uniting sepsis survivors like Michael Clarke, whose story was already featured on our website. Their mission involves establishing a National Sepsis Plan with guidelines for early diagnosis and treatment. Ilse, along with the medical council, including Professor Erika Vlieghe and Professor Jan De Waele, President-Elect of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), and collaborating organizations, endeavors to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and the general population about the symptoms and dangers of sepsis.

GSA founder Prof. Konrad Reinhart and GSA CEO Mariam Jashi with Ilse Malfait in Berlin, 12 September 2023.

Physically and mentally tired after three challenging years, Ilse remains resilient, driven by the urgency to implement the sepsis plan in Belgium. Her advocacy seeks to empower not only medical professionals but also the public, ensuring that the devastating impact of sepsis is met with prompt and informed responses.

The Global Sepsis Alliance is proud of the fight and the incredible achievements of Ilse Malfait. She is a true hero who can inspire millions of survivors and families affected by sepsis worldwide!

The GSA stands ready to continuously support Ilse’s advocacy efforts and provide any necessary assistance to Belgian colleagues as they embark on developing the National Sepsis Plan.

I felt like Superwoman, strong and invincible! Running my own catering company with my husband, working over 60 hours a week, but never skipping my daily 6:15 am run, and in my free moments playing with my five-year-old daughter. I had just turned 40, but I have never been in better shape. Unbreakable… until July 16th, 2021.

The day before, everything was as usual: starting my day at 6.15 am with a 10km run. After breakfast, I brought my daughter to summer school, and it was just another typical busy high-season day on sunny Minorca. After work, we enjoyed a Spanish family dinner at 10 pm, as my mother-in-law was going to fly back to the mainland the morning after.

At 4 am, I woke up with a funny feeling in my tummy. Not sure if I am just hungry or feeling sick, I went to the kitchen to eat a banana. Ten minutes later, I start vomiting and have diarrhea. After that, my health was declining rapidly. At 7 am, I can just crawl the two meters between the bathroom and my bed. My mother-in-law has canceled her flight and started calling for an ambulance. I felt like flying and could barely move. Because no medical is coming and neither does the ambulance, my mother-in-law makes me an ORS. Finally, at 11 am, I stopped vomiting and was able to drink some water.

At 11:30 am, I had the honor of a cranky doctor and a clumsy nurse next to my bed. My blood pressure was on the floor and my fever was through the roof. Diagnosis without any test: COVID-19 (what else?). The order is to isolate me, and a COVID-19 ambulance will pick me up as soon as possible. After tens of calls, my mother-in-law throws in her final weapon, telling them that she will call the police if they do not send an ambulance immediately because I am on edge. Just 15 minutes later, I lost consciousness for a moment while they try to get me to the ambulance in a wheelchair.

At the hospital I do not show any progress, my blood pressure keeps on dropping and my heart rate is going up. During the X-ray, I passed out again. My caring emergency doctor brought the head of the ICU to my bed, and he takes me to his unit at 11:30 pm. In less than 24 hours I went from doing perfectly fine to the ICU. Diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock with multi-organ failure, of unknown origin (definitely not COVID-19!). I will turn out to be the most annoying ICU patient ever, as I hardly sleep.

The super friendly and caring head of the ICU tells me that I have been amazingly lucky and that having a strong (runners) heart probably saved my life. My good physical shape and 2 guardian angels on each shoulder make me recover almost as quickly as I got ill. After only 3 days in the ICU and one in the traumatology unit (the only free bed because of COVID-19), I asked to go home. Before going, I asked my doctor if there is any risk if I go for a run next week…

I never imagined the battle that was waiting for me. Hospital dismissal was just the beginning of my recovery. To be very clear: I was extremely lucky to get out of a septic shock like I did. But the road to recovery has been a fight, full of tears, fears, and frustration. And mostly, it has been a lonely road without any understanding and information from medical professionals. There is near to nothing available for sepsis patients in Spain.

That made me decide to do something and use my experience for something worthy. Being Dutch and understanding English, I could contact ¨Sepsis en daarna¨ in the Netherlands and the European Sepsis Alliance and read about sepsis. After going to medical specialists and getting no answers or conflicting information about my sequelae, reading the ESA’s “Life after sepsis guide” made me realize that I am not crazy, and I am definitely not the only one. Although Superwomen died in the ICU, I am determined to make Spanish sepsis survivors feel the same: together the battle is more bearable!

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The article above was written by Marianne Haverkamp and is shared here with her explicit consent. The views in the article do not necessarily represent those of the Global Sepsis Alliance. They are not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The whole team here at the Global Sepsis Alliance and World Sepsis Day wishes to thank Marianne for sharing her story and for fighting to raise awareness for sepsis. The text has been lightly edited for clarity.

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This year’s World Sepsis Day marks its tenth anniversary. Five years after the World Health Assembly resolution on sepsis management and the recent uptake of its implementation by the G7 leaders, the Global Sepsis Alliance rejoices in the results of global advocacy, but the road ahead is still steep, and the number of unnecessary deaths caused by sepsis still too high.

At the event “Making Sepsis a National and Global Health Priority” in Berlin on September 16, the Global Sepsis Alliance will celebrate the progress achieved in ten years of advocacy and quality improvements in the fight against sepsis. The event will be the opportunity to take stock of the successes and learnings of the past ten years and identify the challenges that stakeholders around the globe must address to minimize the burden of sepsis.

Sepsis still kills 11 million people every year and more than 80% of the burden lies in low- and middle-income countries. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this burden through viral sepsis and underscored the vital importance of infection prevention and control, vaccination, and clean care to prevent the spread of disease and counter the threat of antimicrobial resistance“, reads the welcome message of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, patron of the event.

“G7 governments have understood the importance of improving sepsis management and integrating it into antimicrobial resistance and pandemic preparedness strategies. We are satisfied with the inclusion of sepsis in the recent leaders’ conclusions under the German presidency”, confirms GSA President, Prof. Niranjan ‘Tex’ Kissoon. “We are working with our members and partners to ensure that the G20 countries also embrace the recommendations and contribute to reducing the number of still too high preventable deaths and disabilities caused by sepsis.”

Sepsis, the dysregulated immune system response to infections from bacteria, fungi, or viruses such as COVID-19, affects around 50 million people annually, often leaving survivors with long-term physical consequences, including amputations. Post-sepsis syndrome symptoms are very similar to the ones of the well-known long Covid.

The September 16 event will be attended in person or remotely by high-level officials including German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, alongside renowned figures in the field of sepsis. This will be only one of the numerous events that are organized every year in September to raise awareness of sepsis around the globe. An interactive map of all activities is available on the World Sepsis Day website.

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For media inquires, please contact Simone Mancini.

Simone.Mancini[at]global-sepsis-alliance.org

+49 30 450 55 14 17

On June 30, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released the national Sepsis Clinical Care Standard, in partnership with GSA Members The George Institute for Global Health and the Australian Sepsis Network.

Australia has become one of the first countries to release a nationally agreed quality framework for the recognition and management of sepsis, through a broad consensus across the health sector.

The standard outlines optimal care for patients in hospitals with suspected sepsis – starting from the onset of signs and symptoms, through to discharge and follow-up care. The launch marks a major milestone in our joint efforts to improve early recognition and provide enhanced clinical care and post-discharge support for patients.

“The Sepsis Clinical Care Standard is a game-changer that will ensure healthcare workers recognize sepsis as a medical emergency and provide coordinated high-quality care to all Australians.”, said Prof. Simon Finfer, Director of the Australian Sepsis Network, Intensivist and Professorial Fellow in the Critical Care Division at The George Institute for Global Health and GSA Vice President.

“If a patient is acutely ill or deteriorating rapidly – and there is no other obvious cause – we must consider sepsis as a possible diagnosis,” said Professor Finfer. “If you suspect sepsis, either as a clinician or a patient, escalate your concerns to a healthcare professional who is skilled in managing sepsis. You must ask, ‘Could this be sepsis?’.”

The Sepsis Clinical Care Standard was the result of a collaboration between leading clinical experts and consumers and translates evidence into clinical practice to reduce preventable death or disability caused by sepsis.

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We are working on assembling a world map, tracking the status of national sepsis strategies across the world – and while we have a good idea of what’s going on, we want to make sure not to miss anything. Is your country also planning or implementing similar initiatives? Please provide your input via the button below.

GSA invites you to register for the inaugural Critical Care Infectious Diseases Network (CCIDN) Canada symposium on Life-Threatening Infections and COVID-19 Disease, that will be held on February 24 and 25, 2022. This event has been developed by the members of CCIDN who are physicians and researcher trained in both critical care and infectious diseases and microbiology.

This virtual educational event will be singularly dedicated to the dissemination of information on life-threatening infections requiring ICU care and COVID-19 disease. Join nationally and internationally recognized experts for this two day-long symposium focusing on the hot topics of the day in severe and life-threatening infectious disease threats.