In primary care, if sepsis is suspected, assess the person for risk factors and clinical concern, including new-onset abnormalities of behaviour, circulation, or respiration NICE NG51.
Use a structured set of observations to stratify risk, and consider using NEWS2 for patients aged 16 or over, or an appropriate early warning score for other age groups NICE NG51.
If the person meets high risk criteria for severe illness or death from sepsis, arrange immediate hospital transfer, pre-alert secondary care, and consider administering broad-spectrum antibiotics without delay, ideally within 1 hour NICE CKS.
If the person is at moderate risk, make a definitive diagnosis, manage any underlying condition, and provide information on symptoms to monitor and how to access emergency care if needed, while arranging further investigations and follow-up NICE CKS.
Provide oxygen therapy if oxygen saturation is below 94%, unless contraindicated NICE NG51.