Sepsis

Sepsis clinical pathways

In any setting where sepsis may occur, there should be a policy or guideline for sepsis care that reflects the time-critical nature of treatment and provides parameters for evidence-based practice.

Use of a locally approved clinical pathway to guide assessment, diagnosis and appropriate treatments within the recommended time frame, is essential to support hospitals to recognise and manage patients presenting with sepsis.

Together with clinical and consumer experts, we have incorporated the latest evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines. There is a focus on improving patient outcomes and supporting healthcare professionals in delivering high-quality care. We encourage all clinicians and health services to familiarise themselves for integration into practice. 

Key 2025 updates to the Victorian Adult Sepsis Pathway include:

• Addition of risk factors including patient and/or carer concern.
• Updated terminology to align with the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard (2022).
• Aligned the colour scheme to track and trigger response charts to support appropriate escalation of care.
• Condensed pathway to two pages with additional optional antimicrobial guidance pages.
• Further time stamps throughout page 2 to support documentation and auditing.

The pathway includes recognition criteria, treatment guidance focused on the six key actions of managing sepsis and an empiric antibiotic guide.

View the pathway

Implementing the clinical pathway

This toolkit will help health services implement an adult sepsis pathway and improve the recognition and management of sepsis.

The toolkit is based on findings of SCV’s sepsis bundle of care program and the ‘Think sepsis. Act fast.’ scaling collaboration. It builds on the previous work by the New South Wales Clinical Excellence Commission, UK Sepsis Trust, Surviving Sepsis Campaign, Melbourne Health and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

It contains guidance and resources to help health services implement a sepsis pathway, including:

• sepsis recognition criteria and definitions, and an example of a sepsis pathway
• a guide to implementing a sepsis pathway
• an example driver diagram and change ideas
• quality improvement tools and templates.

View the toolkit

Other resources are included below. You can adapt these to help you communicate the pathway to staff and monitor your progress.

Please note: An update to the toolkit is currently in progress as part of the 2025-2027 SCV Victorian Sepsis Program.