When should I consider referring a patient with suspected sepsis to secondary care?

Refer a patient with suspected sepsis to secondary care immediately if they meet any high risk criteria for severe illness or death from sepsis, such as new altered mental state, hypotension, or signs of organ dysfunction, and arrange urgent transfer, usually by 999 ambulance ¹.

In children under 16, refer for emergency medical care if they meet high risk criteria or if their immunity is impaired and they meet any moderate to high risk criteria ¹.

For adults or children outside an acute hospital setting, pre-alert secondary care when high risk criteria are met and transfer immediately ¹.

Arrange emergency hospital assessment for people with suspected neutropenic sepsis or if they meet high risk criteria, including immediate assessment by a senior clinician, blood tests, and broad-spectrum antibiotics ².

If a definitive diagnosis cannot be made or the person's condition cannot be safely managed outside hospital, arrange emergency transfer to hospital ².