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Clinical Topics

What is Sepsis?

 

Sepsis info from ESNEFT  

Soft Signs of Sepsis information sheet produced by ESNEFT and CNS for the Deteriorating Patient.

  • Sepsis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to infection.
  • Early recognition and treatment are essential to improving outcomes.

How can this guide help?Info Icon 

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  • This guide provides information on the key library resources to support your understanding and management of sepsis in clinical practice.
  • Library resources are all free for all ESNEFT staff and students on placement at the trust.
  • Explore  books, eBooks, journals, and evidence guides from BMJ Best Practice, NICE, UptoDate and much more.
  • Switch the light on sepsis resources via ESNEFT Libraries and enhance your understanding today. 
  • Guide last updated September 2025.

 

Search the NHS Library Hub Search

  • The library hub is your go to place to search for evidence in various formats 
  • Easy to access and request articles
  • Access with an ESNEFT NHS OpenAthens account 
  • Find out more on our Library Hub page

Print and eBooks

How can print books help you?

ESNEFT Libraries have a varied collection of print books related to sepsis, at both Colchester and Ipswich sites.  With automatic renewals and no overdue fines, our print collect is a great way to develop your knowledge.  It is easy to borrow books: 

  • To borrow print books you will need an active library account.  
  • You can reserve books on our catalogue with your Library card number and password. 
  • You can also email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk and we can reserve the books for you. 
  • Our Sepsis reading list (which lists both print and eBooks) can be accessed via the link below.  

Reading list and print book highlights book icon

How can eBooks help you?

ESNEFT Libraries have a varied collection of eBooks related to sepsis.  All ESNEFT staff can access eBooks 24/7, both onsite and offsite and your laptop, phone or tablet.  This means you get easy access to the knowledge you need.  Accessing eBooks is easy: 

  • To access an eBook, you will need an active OpenAthens account with ESNEFT.  Visit our OpenAthens page for more information. 
  • Email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk for assistance and we can help set you up with an OpenAthens account. 
  • Our Sepsis reading list (which lists both print and eBooks) can be accessed via the link below. 

Reading list and eBook highlights

The UK Sepsis Trust has produced an updated version of their Sepsis manual, based on updated NICE guidance.  Edited by Dr Ron Daniels and Dr Tim Nutbeam, this free manual can be accessed via our catalogue (link below). Once on the catalogue make sure to click 'link to resource' option. 

Journals

BrowZine is a great tool to search for journals ESNEFT Libraries subscribe to.

  • Use can search for journals below.  BrowZine tells you if we have access and what years we have access to.
  • The next tab provides links to some of recommended journals to find sepsis research. 
  • For journals we have access to you will find either a pdf or web link options to full-text versions.
  • To access an journals, you will need an active OpenAthens account with ESNEFT.  Visit our OpenAthens page for more information. 
  • If you can access an article email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk and we can help you. 
Search e-journals

Evidence-based Guides

BMJ Best Practice Logo

  • BMJ Best Practice provides  the best available information for any clinical situation. 
  • It gives step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, treatment and prevention on sepsis in both adults and children (links below). 
  • Access BMJ Best Practice onsite via a Trust PC without logging in or use your NHS OpenAthens account. 
  • Email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk for any assistance. 

 

ClinicalKey Logo

  • ClinicalKey is here to support your understanding and management of sepsis with access to the latest medical information at your fingertips. 
  • See the link below for ClinicalKey’s sepsis-related clinical overviews.
  • Access ClinicalKey with your NHS OpenAthens login.
  • Email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk for any assistance. 

NICE Logo

  • NICE provide trusted and regularly updated summaries on a range of clinical topics.
  • NICE guidelines & clinical knowledge summaries (below) can be accessed on & off-site without the need to login.

UptoDate Logo

  • UpToDate is an evidence based clinical decision support tool.
  • It has treatment, drug and patient information on sepsis in both adults and children (links below). 
  • Access UptoDate onsite via a Trust PC without logging in or use either your personal account or NHS OpenAthens account. 
  • Email esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk for any assistance. 

Sign-up for a KnowledgeShare Alert

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  • You could be made aware of NICE guidance and other key documents as they are published or updated through a regular current awareness email of information tailored to your needs. 
  • It is called KnowledgeShare and you can register for the service on our KnowledgeShare page.
  • It is important to be as precise as possible on what your information requirements might be to be sure the links sent are as relevant as possible. 

Martha's Rule

Martha's Rule

  • Martha’s Rule, involving provision of telephone helplines to enable escalation of concerns about care and possible sepsis; has now been rolled out to all acute hospitals across England. 
  • This was following the death of Martha Mills, then aged 13 of sepsis in 2021 and a following campaign by her family. 
  • The roll out comes on 4th September 2025, which would have been Martha’s 18th birthday. 
  • More information is available on the NHS England website (see below). 

Useful Web Resources

Contact Us 🗨️  

esneftlibrary@esneft.nhs.uk 

Colchester - 01206 742146  

Ipswich - 01473 702544 (ext 1544)

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