A patient with sepsis: an evaluation of care

While undertaking an accident and emergency care course, the author was required to reflect critically on the care of a patient he had seen. This included the use of a Mind Map. The patient was diagnosed with sepsis but a delay in the recognition of the seriousness of his illness meant that gold standards for care were not met. Although the patient made a full recovery, it was clear that the team had to learn from the experience and change its practice. In particular, a full set of diagnostic tests should be followed where sepsis is suspected. To maintain patient confidentiality, any identifying features of this case have been removed or changed, in keeping with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct and its guidance on standards for record keeping (NMC 2007, 2008).