Barnsley Hospital shares sepsis warning signs for patients heading home

Barnsley Hospital has published guidance for patients who have been checked for possible sepsis and told they are well enough to go home. If you have been assessed and do not currently have sepsis, it is safe to leave hospital, but staff say it is still important to keep an eye on how you feel.

Sepsis is a serious illness caused by infection and can worsen very quickly. The hospital stresses that early treatment saves lives, so people should trust their instincts and get help early if something does not feel right.

The advice says to call 999 or go straight to the Emergency Department if you become very confused, very sleepy or hard to wake, or if you are shivering or shaking and feeling very unwell. Other red flags include very bad muscle pain, passing little or no urine, skin that looks blue, grey, very pale or blotchy, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or a feeling that something is very wrong.

For less severe but still worrying symptoms, contact NHS 111, your GP or return to hospital. These include a high or very low temperature, feeling hot and cold, fast breathing or breathing difficulties, chest pain, a fast heartbeat, feeling very weak, dizzy or faint, pain that is getting worse, or feeling more unwell than before even while taking antibiotics.

Some people are more at risk than others. This includes older or frail people, those with diabetes or conditions that weaken the immune system, people taking steroids or immunosuppressants, anyone who has recently had surgery or a procedure, and those who are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last six weeks.

While recovering at home, the hospital advises taking any prescribed medicines as instructed, drinking fluids unless told otherwise, resting, and keeping a close check on how you feel. If you were asked to see your GP, make sure you do.

The hospital reminds patients that sepsis can affect any adult, and that someone may look okay but still become unwell. If you are worried or unsure, it is always better to check. Information in other formats is available from the Patient Experience and Engagement Team on 01226 434922.