Sepsis Clinical Care Standard Launch

Posted Thursday 18 April 2024 | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare

Register now for the launch of Australia's sepsis Clinical Care Standard, a significant step in improving sepsis care nationally. 

• Every year, there are over 55,000 cases of sepsis in Australia and more than 8,700 sepsis-related deaths. 
• Sepsis is difficult to recognise but is a medical emergency. Early recognition and rapid treatment are critical to prevent serious complications and death. 
• Sepsis is complex and its after-effects extend beyond the acute crisis, posing challenges for co-ordinated follow-up in hospital and post-discharge.
• The new standard provides guidance to ensure we spot the warning signs early and act quickly to stop sepsis and save lives.

Hear from the experts 

Join to learn more about managing sepsis including:

• how to recognise the signs and symptoms of sepsis
• timely and appropriate treatment including antimicrobial therapy.
• clinical tool and pathways to support assessment, treatment and escalation. 
• the importance of multidisciplinary, coordinated patient-centred care. 
• key considerations in high-risk populations. 

Hear our panel discuss the challenges presented by sepsis and how implementation of the standard can reduce patient disability and save lives. 

For more information, visit safetyandquality.gov.au/sepsis-ccs

Meet the panel

Ms Julie McCrossin AM
Broadcaster and Commentator

Julie is renowned across Australia for her warmth, intelligence, and commitment to social issues. After 20 years as a broadcaster with ABC Radio, ABC TV, and Network 10, she is now a freelance journalist, speaker, and facilitator. Julie has advocated for a range of health issues, and co-produced and presented educational videos in partnership with cancer clinicians and advocates.

Dr Carolyn Hullick
Clinical Director, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and Emergency Physician, Hunter New England Health NSW

At the Commission, Carolyn has guided the the National Sepsis Program and chaired the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard Topic Working Group. Other projects focus on aged care, transitions of care, appropriate use of antipsychotics, and comprehensive care. As an Emergency physician Carolyn has a special interest in geriatric medicine, and as a Harkness Fellow, spent 12 months at Weill Cornell Medical School in New York, investigating care for older people in emergency departments.

Professor Simon Finfer AO
Professorial Fellow in the Critical Care Division at The George Institute for Global Health, Adjunct Professor, University of New South Wales, and Chair of Critical Care, School of Public Health, Imperial College London

Simon was a founding member and is a past-Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Clinical Trials Group, past chair of the International Sepsis Forum, and current Vice President of the Global Sepsis Alliance. He is Director of the Australian Sepsis Network and Asia Pacific Sepsis Alliance. Simon was appointed an Officer (AO) in the Order of Australia in 2020 for “distinguished service to intensive care medicine, to medical research, and education, and to global health institutes”.

Associate Professor Paula Lister
Director Paediatric Critical Care, Sunshine Coast University Hospital QLD, and Medical Co-Chair, Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Program

Paula has been at the forefront of improving outcomes for paediatric sepsis patients. She is Medical Co-chair of the Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Program and her current research is aimed at improving outcomes for children with sepsis. She is an Associate Professor at Griffith University and Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland. Paula is a World Health Organization consultant, and former consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London and was part of the UK-wide Sepsis-6 roll out.

Dr Lorraine Anderson
Medical Director, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services WA

Lorraine has been working in Aboriginal health and remote rural practice in the Pilbara, Indian Ocean Territories, and now the Kimberley for the past 15 years. She has a Medicine degree from the University of Auckland NZ, and post graduate qualifications in Child Health, Palliative Medicine and General Practice. Lorraine has been involved in research, medical education, and business development across the health sector. She is proudly linked through her father to the Palawa people of Tasmania.

Last updated: Thursday 23 June 2022