Challenges in the recognition and management of paediatric sepsis - The journey.

Abstract Paediatric sepsis remains a leading cause of childhood death. Morbidity is high, with up to one third of children affected developing ongoing, sometimes lifelong sequelae. To address the major burden of sepsis on child health, there is need for a unified approach to care, as outlined in the Australian National Action Plan for sepsis. While the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2020 guidelines provided evidence-based recommendations for sepsis management in hospital, additional emphasis on families, pre-hospital recognition and post-sepsis care incorporating the multidisciplinary team is paramount to achieve quality patient outcomes. The role of families, paramedics and nurses in recognising and managing paediatric sepsis remains an under-represented area in current literature. The aim of this paper is to critically discuss key challenges surrounding the journey of paediatric sepsis, drawing on contemporary literature to highlight key areas pertinent to recognition and management of sepsis in children. Application of a holistic, patient-centred focus will provide an overview of paediatric sepsis, aiming to inform future development for enhanced healthcare delivery and identify critical areas for further research.