Studies show that a significant number of sepsis patients (20-30%) receive inappropriate antibiotics, and that blood culture testing – the ‘gold standard’ for sepsis diagnosis – varies significantly across healthcare practices. Such variation causes delay in critical test results, and there is additional evidence to suggest that blood culture testing may not influence a change to antimicrobial treatment. The innovation landscape presented in this report aims to inform decisions made by NHSE & I’s AMR Programme Board, and accelerate the adoption of innovations that may enhance appropriate antimicrobial prescribing. It contains pipeline insights for, amongst others, biomarkers in rapid detection, technologies with antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and innovations for use in neonates.
Horizon Scanning Final Report: Identification of Acute deterioration / Sepsis Technologies
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires the timely administration of appropriate antibiotics. Detection, however, remains challenging in the early stages, and laboratory culture methods can take 24 – 48 hours to yield results. In this report, we identify emerging diagnostic solutions and clinical biomarkers with the potential to better guide antibiotic use and help control the spread of AMR.