The number of sepsis-associated deaths in Irish hospitals has fallen by over 20% in the past four years, the HSE has said.

Sepsis, also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning, is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection or injury, in which large amounts of bacteria are present in the blood.

Sepsis is often described as a silent killer because it is rapid and unpredictable, and can go undiagnosed due to its non-specific signs and symptoms.

"The most effective way to reduce mortality from sepsis is by prevention - good sanitation, personal hygiene, eating healthily, exercising moderately, breastfeeding, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and vaccination for vaccine preventable infections.

"The next most effective way is early recognition and treatment. Mortality from sepsis has continued to decrease year on year," explained Dr Vida Hamilton, the outgoing national clinical lead for sepsis.

Dr Hamilton was speaking at the HSE's 5th National Sepsis Summit in Dublin Castle.

The summit was told that in 2017, there were over 16,300 cases of sepsis documented in adult inpatients, with an in-hospital mortality of 18.4% (around 3,000 deaths). This represented a 3% decrease in mortality since 2016.

Meanwhile over the past four years, there has been a 20.5% fall in sepsis deaths in hospitals.

The summit saw the launch of the 2017 National Sepsis Report, which made a number of recommendations, including calling for increased awareness about this condition among the general public and among healthcare professionals working in primary and community care.

Launching the report at Dublin Castle, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, described the fall in sepsis-associated deaths as a ‘significant achievement'.

"Sepsis can affect any person of any age, irrespective of underlying good health or medical conditions, and one of the focuses of the National Sepsis Programme this year was to raise awareness of sepsis in the community.

"The Community Sepsis Awareness Campaign was recently launched at the National Ploughing Championships and I'm very glad to support this vital campaign. It's important that people recognise sepsis and present to their GP or Emergency Department sooner rather than later if they are concerned," the Minister said.

The symptoms of sepsis may mimic the flu, such as fever, shivering, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, pain, weakness and sleepiness. However, the main difference between sepsis and flu symptoms is that sepsis comes on very quickly, while flu comes on over a few days.

The National Sepsis Report 2017 can be viewed here

*Pictured at the 5th National Sepsis Summit in Dublin Castle is the Minister for Health, Simon Harris