The sepsis journey and where digital alerts can help: a qualitative, interview study with survivors and family members in England
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
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.
Clinical trial registration: The ClinicalTrials.gov registration identifier for this study is NCT05741801; the protocol ID is 16347.
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.
Clinical trial registration: The ClinicalTrials.gov registration identifier for this study is NCT05741801; the protocol ID is 16347.
Date Issued
2025-03-26
Date Acceptance
2025-03-10
Citation
Frontiers in Public Health, 2025, 13
ISSN
2296-2565
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Public Health
Volume
13
Copyright Statement
© 2025 Lazzarino, Borek, Brent, Welch, Honeyford, Daniels, Kinderlerer, Cooke, Patil, Gordon, Goodman, Glampson, Ghazal, Costelloe and Tonkin-Crine. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40231176
Subjects
AMBULANCE
ANTIBIOTICS
BARRIERS
digital alerts
England
EXPERIENCES
family members
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
MANAGEMENT
OUTCOMES
PATIENT
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Science & Technology
secondary emergency care
sepsis survivors
SYMPTOMS
SYSTEM
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Article Number
1521761
Date Publish Online
2025-03-26