The Regional Director for Health attended on Monday the conference to implement the Sepsis Fast Track in the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital.
Sepsis, a generalised infection, currently registers a higher mortality rate than the rates of stroke and myocardial infarction, having a significant social impact. Statistical data demonstrates that 22% admissions to intensive care units are due to sepsis acquired in hospital environment.
Therefore, according to Sofia Duarte, it is necessary to adapt the health systems in order to provide the adequate response to this growing public health problem, mainly through a rapid response in the emergency services.
In accordance to the Progress Report, drafted by the Department of Health Quality of the Directorate-General of Health, mortality rates are decreasing in the hospitals where the Sepsis Fast Track has already been introduced.
This measure is being implemented in the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital as well as in the Healthcare Centres on São Miguel and Santa Maria, but the Government also intends to extend the network to the archipelago by the end of 2011.
64 doctors and nurses from the Divino Espírito Santo have already attended specific training courses.
The hyperbaric chamber, available at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, which was acquired to treat decompression sickness, acute poisoning by carbon monoxide, thermal burns and difficult-to-heal wounds, is also effective in the treatment of sepsis.