The sepsis journey and where digital alerts can help: a qualitative, interview study with survivors and family members in England
Lazzarino, Runa Borek, Aleksandra J Brent, Andrew J Welch, John Honeyford, Kate Daniels, Ron Kinderlerer, Anne Cooke, Graham Patil, Shashank Gordon, Anthony
Lazzarino, Runa
Borek, Aleksandra J
Brent, Andrew J
Welch, John
Honeyford, Kate
Daniels, Ron
Kinderlerer, Anne
Cooke, Graham
Patil, Shashank
Gordon, Anthony
Affiliation
University of Oxford; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; NIHR Central London Patient Safety Research Collaboration; Institute of Cancer Research; University College London; UK Sepsis Trust and Global Sepsis Alliance; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; PPI Representative; Cardiff University; Imperial College London
Other Contributors
Publication date
2025-03-26
Subject
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Introduction: The fight against sepsis is an ongoing healthcare challenge, where digital tools are increasingly used with some promising results. The experience of survivors and their family members can help optimize digital alerts for sepsis/deterioration. This study pairs the experiences of survivors of their sepsis journey and family members with their knowledge and views on the role of digital alerts.
Methods: A qualitative study with online, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with sepsis survivors and family members in England. Data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.
Results: We included 11 survivors, and 5 family members recruited via sepsis charities and other social media, for a total of 15 sepsis cases. Identified categories correspond to the three stages of the sepsis journey: 1. Pre-hospital, onset symptoms and help-seeking; 2. Hospital admission and stay; 3. Post-sepsis syndrome. The role of digital alerts at each stage of the sepsis journey is discussed. Participants' experiences were varied, previous sepsis awareness scant, and knowledge of digital alerts minimal. However, participants were confident in the potential of alerts contributing along the sepsis journey. They perceived digital alerts as important in healthcare professionals' decision-making to expedite identification and treatment of sepsis and suggested their expansion across healthcare services. Participants expressed that awareness should be increased among the general public about digital alerts for sepsis/deterioration.
Discussion: In light of sepsis' insidious and variable manifestation, the involvement of patients and family members in the development of digital alerts is crucial to optimize their design and deployment towards improving outcomes. Digital alerts should enhance the connection across healthcare services as well as the care quality. They should also enhance the communication between patients and healthcare professionals.
Citation
Lazzarino R, Borek AJ, Brent AJ, Welch J, Honeyford K, Daniels R, Kinderlerer A, Cooke G, Patil S, Gordon A, Goodman P, Glampson B, Ghazal P, Costelloe C, Tonkin-Crine S. The sepsis journey and where digital alerts can help: a qualitative, interview study with survivors and family members in England. Front Public Health. 2025 Mar 26;13:1521761. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1521761.
Type
Article