Sepsis can progress rapidly causing serious maternal ill health and possibly death. This i-learn module will review the predisposing factors and causes of sepsis. Any infection can lead to sepsis and identification of the common and not so common sites of infection that may arise in the childbearing period are included.

Early recognition of signs and symptoms by midwives and maternity support workers allows early referral and rapid implementation of care that can be lifesaving. This module will provide guidance on how to assess the woman to identify infection and possible sepsis. This will include a review of vital signs alongside signs and symptoms of infection. The need for structured, thorough assessment is emphasised.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• perform an assessment of the woman that will identify signs and symptoms of infection and /or sepsis
• be aware of ‘amber’ and ’red’ alerts with regard to features of sepsis and be able to make prompt referral for urgent medical assessment
• understand what initial actions the midwife can instigate when sepsis is suspected/identified to ensure the woman receives the best possible prompt care
• identify the factors that increase the risk of sepsis and seek measures to prevent sepsis

This module contains one video of approximately 4 minutes in length.

Study time: 40 minutes

Original content: April 2018