Raise the Flag: sepsis quality improvement project

The ‘Raise the Flag’ project aims to develop and test a sepsis care package focused on early identification and timely treatment.   

 We will invite hospitals across Aotearoa New Zealand to be involved in testing the care package. 

 Key components include:

• Sepsis pathways for adult, maternity and paediatrics (including a user guide)
• Education material (PowerPoint slides, case studies, simulation checklist)
• Measurement system (benefits, outcomes, and process measures)
• Governance structure
• Implementation plan
• Promotional material
• Patient and whānau education and communication

Related documents

Literature scoping review by Callan Attwell

In 2023, we contracted medical researcher Callan Attwell to investigate national and international efforts in the field of quality improvement (QI) to reduce the incidence and harm associated with sepsis across different cohort groupings and settings. This review helped us understand the efficacy of different approaches and informed our approach for the QI initiative.

HQSC Sepsis Quality Improvement Scoping Review 2023 (PDF, 1 MB)

Sepsis adverse event thematic analysis

An analysis of the sepsis-related adverse events (SAC 1 and SAC 2) reported to Te Tāhū Hauora over the five years from 2017 to 2022 was completed by our Improved Service Delivery team. This analysis enabled us to understand the magnitude of significant harm related to sepsis in New Zealand hospitals.

Sepsis thematic analysis (PDF, 729 KB)

Sepsis scoping summary report

This paper outlines the findings from the preliminary scoping exercise including opportunities for improvement, and the benefits of doing a sepsis quality improvement programme.

Sepsis quality improvement programme scoping summary (PDF, 1.2MB)

Stocktake of sepsis management in Aotearoa New Zealand 

The Health Quality & Safety Commission worked with Synergia to undertake a stocktake of the current management of sepsis in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This report, published in August 2022, sets out the findings of the stocktake.

Stocktake of sepsis management in Aotearoa New Zealand (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Further information 

If you need more information or are interested in being involved, please contact the team at sepsis@hqsc.govt.nz

Information and resources about sepsis in Aotearoa New Zealand can be found on the Sepsis Trust NZ website: sepsis.org.nz.