First reported 2 Feb 2016•Latest report 28 Feb 2020
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes only assertions that directly instantiate the manually reviewed condition ‘Inconsistent paediatric sepsis recognition and response guidance’ and satisfy this evidence boundary: Two distinct reports directly support unclear paediatric sepsis terminology and conflicting heart-rate thresholds for urgent sepsis treatment. The separate assertion about applying fever-assessment guidance to infants does not directly establish sepsis and must be excluded.
Not included
Excludes adult sepsis guidance and sepsis concerns with no paediatric qualifier.
Excludes failures in antibiotic selection or treatment delivery where paediatric sepsis recognition-and-response guidance is not the deficient control.
Excludes failures to perform investigations or provide equipment when the guidance and recognition process itself is reliable.
Excludes generic clinical training or communication deficiencies unless they directly impair paediatric sepsis recognition-and-response guidance.
Excludes manifestations outside the manually reviewed boundary: Two distinct reports directly support unclear paediatric sepsis terminology and conflicting heart-rate thresholds for urgent sepsis treatment. The separate assertion about applying fever-assessment guidance to infants does not directly establish sepsis and must be excluded.
Reports
3
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2016–2020
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
5
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives1
Cardiff & Vale University LHB1
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust1
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence1
NHS trust2
Executive non-departmental public body1
Health-sector membership body1
Local health board1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Failure to use and record clear, continuing sepsis terminology in suspected sepsis patients
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Lack of clear and consistent guidance on heart-rate criteria triggering urgent sepsis treatment in sick six-year-old children
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Provide sepsis training and embed UK Sepsis Trust guidance in the electronic Clinical Manual for staff.
Stated by East of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 August 2019.
Action
Ask JRCALC to consider whether evidence supports changing ambulance guidance on paediatric pulse-rate thresholds.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 August 2019.
Action
Review and amend the CKS Meningitis topic to align with NICE sepsis guidance.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 August 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
NICE guidance provides clarity on recognising high-risk sepsis, including severe tachycardia thresholds for children aged six to seven years.
Stated by East of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing endorsement of UK Sepsis Trust and NICE-aligned guidance, training, and the Clinical Manual adequately address paediatric sepsis recognition.
Stated by East of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
A pulse rate of 119 rather than 120 beats per minute would not independently influence assessment of a six-year-old child.
Stated by Association of Ambulance Chief ExecutivesDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
NICE disputes that its sepsis guidance lacks clarity, citing defined heart-rate thresholds for children aged 6–7 years.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
South Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised3
Lack of clarity about paediatric sepsis signs and responses
Lack of paediatric sepsis treatment protocol and guidance
Unclear and interchangeable use of paediatric sepsis terminology
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Implement and disseminate an agreed paediatric sepsis toolkit across clinical areas.
Stated by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 February 2016.
Action
Provide multidisciplinary training on paediatric sepsis and unexpected deterioration, including training for medical staff during each house induction.
Stated by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 February 2016.
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Includes only assertions that directly instantiate the manually reviewed condition ‘Inconsistent paediatric sepsis recognition and response guidance’ and satisfy this evidence boundary: Two distinct reports directly support unclear paediatric sepsis terminology and conflicting heart-rate thresholds for urgent sepsis treatment. The separate assertion about applying fever-assessment guidance to infants does not directly establish sepsis and must be excluded.
