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Tag Archives: Sepsis

Death of Aoife Johnston Was “Almost Certainly Avoidable ” Report Concludes

The death of a Shannon teenager in the overcrowded Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) was “almost certainly avoidable”, a new report has revealed. Aoife Johnston, Cronan Lawn, Shannon, died of meningitis in December 2022 after a thirteen and a half hour gap between presentation at the Emergency Department having been seen by a GP who queried the possibility of sepsis and where the risk of sepsis was also identified by Nurse A who dealt with her, according to a new report. The Frank Clarke report was commissioned by HSE CEO Bernard Gloster after he received the report of a Systems Analysis Review (a SAR report), prepared under the HSE’s National Incident Management System (NIMS). Mr Gloster commissioned the Clarke report having considered the conclusions of the SAR and having determined that further investigation was necessary. At the start of his 247-page report, Justice Frank Clarke recognised this Investigation arose out of the tragic death of a sixteen year- …

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Could this be sepsis? HSE seeks to highlight lethal condition

SEPTEMBER marks Sepsis Awareness Month and the HSE is urging everyone to be aware of this highly lethal condition, to be familiar with the signs and symptoms and be ready to ask: “Could this be Sepsis?” This Tuesday, September 13, the HSE is raising awareness of Sepsis on World Sepsis Day. One in five people who develop sepsis will die, but with early recognition and good treatment, this risk can be reduced. Recent HSE figures reported in excess of 12,000 people were treated for sepsis in hospital last year with approximately one in five people dying as a result of developing sepsis. The true figure is likely to be much higher than this. For context, Sepsis kills more people each year than heart attacks, stroke or almost any cancer. Sepsis is a global healthcare problem with an annual death toll in excess of 11 million people. The illness usually begins as a simple infection. This can start anywhere in or …

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Ennistymon mother urges people to be aware of Sepsis

An Ennistymon mother-of-three has appealed for people to make themselves aware of the signs of Sepsis following her daughter’s near death experience. Audrey McGahon has warned parents and families not to take any chances, as in some cases there are no huge warning signs so it is vital not to wait. The most commonly reported symptoms of Sepsis include slurred speech, confusion, excessive drowsiness; pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints, passing very little or no urine, severe breathlessness, a racing heart, shivering, fever and feeling very cold. The skin of someone with Sepsis changes like pale, cold, discoloured skin or a rash that won’t fade when pressed on. In children the signs to look out for include abnormally cold to the touch; looks mottled , bluish or pale; breathing very fast; is unusually sleepy and difficult to wake; has a rash that does not fade when you press it and having fits or convulsions In February 2018, Audrey’s …

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