Sepsis ⚠️
UK inpatient sepsis screening aid for junior doctors: trigger criteria, NEWS2 risk banding, Sepsis Six checklist, and links to NICE NG253 and UK Sepsis Trust clinical tools. Confirm your Trust pathway.
UK inpatient sepsis screen (age 16+)
Educational flow aligned with UK Sepsis Trust inpatient screening logic. Confirm your Trust form and NICE NG253 — does not replace clinical judgement.
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Start this chart if sepsis is suspected
📋 How to use this tool
- For hospital inpatients aged 16 or over who are not pregnant and have not recently been pregnant.
- Start when sepsis is suspected. Select triggers, then NEWS2 stratum, then high- or moderate-risk criteria as prompted.
- High risk opens a timed Sepsis Six checklist. Moderate risk shows bloods / senior / 3-hour antimicrobial actions.
- This is an educational aid aligned with UK Sepsis Trust inpatient screening logic. It does not replace your Trust form, NICE NG253, or clinical judgement.
⚠️ On-call reminders
- Call FY2+ to risk assess when the chart is started; measure lactate and use the latest vitals for NEWS2.
- High risk: NEWS2 ≥7, or NEWS2 5–6 plus a high-risk criterion (including lactate >2 mmol/L or known AKI).
- Moderate risk: NEWS2 5–6 alone, or NEWS2 1–4 plus a moderate-risk criterion.
- Always reassess if the patient deteriorates or the situation changes. Document the risk assessment in the notes.
- Neutropenic or oncology patients: also follow the febrile neutropenia topic (NICE CG151) and your Trust acute oncology pathway.
Related NICE guidance
NICENICE NG253 — Suspected sepsis in people aged 16 or over: recognition, assessment and early management
Full guidance on nice.org.uk. BetterCall is not endorsed by NICE.
External resources
Note Template
Ready-to-use clinical note structure
🕒 08 / 10 / 2026 — 16:06 ATRP re: suspected sepsis Patient: [age] [sex] Admission Dx: [reason for admission] PMHx: [immunosuppression, chronic illness] 🧾 Hx: • Source of infection: [pneumonia, UTI, line, skin] • Symptoms: fever, chills, rigors, confusion • Duration and progression • Recent antibiotics or hospitalisation 🩺 Exam: • Vitals: HR __ BP __ Temp __ RR __ SpO₂ __ • Mental status: alert / confused / drowsy • Signs of infection: erythema, wounds, catheter sites • Capillary refill, urine output 📋 Impression: Likely sepsis ± septic shock 📌 Plan: • Sepsis 6 within 1 hour: - Oxygen to maintain sats > 94% - Blood cultures and other relevant cultures - IV antibiotics (broad spectrum) - IV fluids (crystalloids) - Check lactate and send blood tests - Monitor urine output • Source control if indicated • Escalate care if deteriorating 👤 [Your Name], [Role] IMC: _______
Educational reference only. Medical disclaimer