Nova Scotia's health system has significantly improved its early detection and treatment of sepsis in emergency rooms since introducing a new program in January 2024. This reform, prompted by high-profile deaths, has increased the percentage of patients receiving antibiotics within three hours from 55% to 82% and reduced average wait times. The program includes new tools, training, and allows nurses to administer first doses of antibiotics without a prescriber's signature in clear cases. Canadian researchers are also developing a device called Powerblade for rapid sepsis testing.
Nova Scotia makes progress in detection of life-threatening sepsis at ERs
HealthSepsis
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Nova Scotia's health system has significantly improved its early detection and treatment of sepsis in emergency rooms since introducing a new program in January 2024. This reform, prompted by high-profile deaths, has increased the percentage of patients receiving antibiotics within three hours from 55% to 82% and reduced average wait times. The program includes new tools, training, and allows nurses to administer first doses of antibiotics without a prescriber's signature in clear cases. Canadian researchers are also developing a device called Powerblade for rapid sepsis testing.
Trending- 1 Prior to January 2024: 55% of sepsis patients received antibiotics within 3 hours (average 233 min wait).
- 2 2022: Diane Breen died from sepsis after waiting at Aberdeen Hospital.
- 3 January 2024: New sepsis detection program introduced in Nova Scotia ERs.
- 4 May 2025: Research paper on Powerblade published in Nature Communications.
- 5 June 27, 2025 (Friday): Kayla Dort interview.
- 6 June 30, 2025: Report published.
- 7 This year (2025): Clinical trial for Powerblade hoped to begin.
- 8 Fall 2025: Program to be expanded to Halifax Infirmary.
- Significant improvement in sepsis treatment rates (82% vs 55%)
- Reduced average wait times (124 minutes vs 233 minutes)
- Potential for more lives saved
- Acknowledgment of past shortcomings in care
- Expansion of the program to other hospitals
- Development of new diagnostic device (Powerblade)
What: Nova Scotia's health system improved early detection and treatment of sepsis in emergency rooms through a new program. This led to increased antibiotic treatment rates and reduced wait times for sepsis patients. Additionally, Canadian researchers are developing a device, Powerblade, for rapid sepsis prediction.
When: Program introduced in January 2024; data comparison is pre-January 2024 vs. now; Dr. Sweet practicing since 2017; Diane Breen died in 2022; Kayla Dort interview on Friday (June 27, 2025); Powerblade research paper published in May (2025); clinical trial for Powerblade hoped for this year (2025); program to expand to Halifax Infirmary this fall (2025); report published June 30, 2025.
Where: Nova Scotia (specifically ERs, six health facilities, Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, Cobequid Community Health Centre, Halifax Infirmary); Canada (for Powerblade research, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, National Research Council Canada); Worldwide (sepsis deaths).
Why: To save lives by detecting and treating sepsis earlier, following several high-profile deaths where earlier intervention might have saved patients. A review showed that previous sepsis care was 'not as good as it should be'.
How: By introducing a new program with tools and training for front-line caregivers, allowing nurses to administer first doses of antibiotics without a prescriber's signature in select cases, and implementing 'sepsis champions' in ERs. Nurses now use a small card explaining sepsis criteria and a slogan 'Time is organ'.