Canadian researchers are calling on the federal government to establish a coordinated national action plan to address sepsis, a life-threatening condition that kills an estimated 18,000 Canadians annually.
Dr. Kali Barrett, a Toronto-based critical care physician, said current training standards leave many doctors and nurses unprepared to recognize and treat the condition quickly. “Every physician completing their training in Canada needs to know what sepsis is, and presently that’s not the case,” Barrett noted.
A peer-reviewed research review, soon to be published, found that most provinces, including Ontario, lack clear guidelines for sepsis detection and treatment. Researchers concluded that accreditation and training standards fall short and must be strengthened nationwide.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to infection triggers severe organ damage or death. Early recognition and immediate antibiotic treatment are critical, with patients able to deteriorate within minutes.
In 2020, an estimated 75,000 cases of sepsis occurred in Canada, resulting in an average of 18,000 deaths annually. Recent cases, including the deaths of two Ontario mothers after childbirth, have highlighted the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis.
Families of victims, like Brampton resident Gurinder Sidhu who lost his wife after her pleas for help went unheard, are demanding action. “Sepsis is a race against time, but doctors never started the clock,” Sidhu said.
Health Canada has said that hospital standards are under the jurisdiction of provinces and Accreditation Canada, noting that existing infectious disease policies already support sepsis prevention. However, researchers argue that national bodies could lead reforms and bring consistency across the country.
“My fear is that we’re going to continue to see preventable deaths from sepsis without a coordinated strategy,” Barrett warned.
The call for action comes as researchers, physicians, and families press Ottawa to work with provinces to standardize guidelines and strengthen detection and training nationwide.