Sepsis is a leading cause of preventable death and disability in children. The Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Project (QPSP) is an innovative, multidisciplinary project to reduce the burden of sepsis on families, clinicians and the health system.
The QPSP implemented the evidence-based and co-designed Paediatric Sepsis Pathway in 2018, as a tool to assist clinicians in screening and recognising sepsis early and as a guideline for the prescribing and administration of antibiotics in line with international best practice guidelines.
In strong partnership with consumers, the QPSP further aims to deliver a world leading holistic approach to paediatric sepsis within the acute care setting and beyond, including development of a comprehensive education and awareness platform; expansion of the sepsis pathway into inpatient areas of care; an integrated model of care for post-sepsis support; a family support network and peer mentor program for families of children diagnosed with sepsis; initiatives to support communication and care inclusive of culturally and linguistically diverse families; and champion health equity for Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants, children, young people, families and communities.
Sustainability is a key focus for all activities of the program. The QPSP created a 5-year roadmap to tackle sustainability issues, particularly in relation to embedding the use of the pathway into clinical practice, improving sepsis management, family experience and outcomes, and improving health service efficiency and effectiveness.
Quadruple aim: Better outcomes (population health), Enhanced patient and family experience, Financial sustainability, and Enhanced clinician experience
The roadmap was co-designed with nursing, medical, allied health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, primary care, research and family representatives from across Queensland. Clear, measurable and achievable actions were developed which strive for the quadruple aim to produce value-based health service improvements.
Qualitative data obtained through story-led consultation with stakeholders underpinned the development of actions and recommendations to sustainably improve paediatric sepsis care over the next five years. Thematic analysis identified key themes and actions which informed the development of seven overarching goals to achieve by 2026 relating to health service resilience, family support and clinician engagement.
Specific actions to be undertaken by the QPSP, with support from Hospital and Health Services, the Department of Health and other key stakeholders are structured under the following key themes:
- Dedicated team—Continued advocacy for a dedicated Paediatric sepsis team.
- System level—Governance of macro and meso level factors that have wide ranging influence over outcomes for children and families.
- Coordinated care—Family centred, flexible and co-designed with consumers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Communication, awareness and knowledge—Empower parents and caregivers to recognise the signs and symptoms, and to advocate for their child to ask “could this be sepsis?”.
- Data and digital—Novel approaches to support clinician decision-making, improve workflow and present real-time performance data to enable service improvements.
- Clinical education, training and resources—Sustainable clinical education across the continuum of care.
More information
The QPSP Sustainability Report and 5-Year Roadmap can be downloaded from the Children’s Health Queensland website.
