Improving identification of severe sepsis by junior doctors: an observational study

Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early recognition and treatment are of paramount importance in reducing mortality; this has been highlighted by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) [1]. A consensus of opinion exists as to Time Zero being the first instance where severe sepsis is present. We undertook a study of newly qualified doctors in a university teaching hospital, to evaluate how effective they were at recognising severe sepsis; and whether a simple intervention could improve their ability to perform this task.