The Osona region has become a testing ground for a pioneering new healthcare initiative. The Osona Sèpsia project, driven by the Consorci Hospitalari de Vic (CHV) and the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), aims to improve the early detection and treatment of sepsis, a serious medical condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
This initiative stems from the prior work of professionals at the Hospital Universitari de Vic (HUV), who over four years developed the Sepsis Code following guidelines from the Servei Català de la Salut, culminating in the publication of an institutional protocol at the end of 2025. The goal now is to extend this model to the pre-hospital setting, from the initial patient contact.
Sepsis occurs when an infection triggers a deregulated bodily response, causing organ dysfunction. Its mortality rate ranges between 20% and 30%, potentially reaching 50% in cases of septic shock. Speed in diagnosis and treatment is crucial for survival.
The Osona Sèpsia project is based on a time-dependent care model where every minute counts. Care pathways and algorithms have been revised to ensure a rapid and coordinated response. When the SEM identifies a suspected case, teams perform an initial assessment and start support measures. Concurrently, a hospital pre-alert is activated to communicate clinical data and estimated arrival time, facilitating the hospital's preparation.
The SEM has conducted training sessions for healthcare units in Osona to introduce the circuit, reinforce early sepsis detection, and standardize pre-hospital clinical practice. A key objective is to standardize Sepsis Code detection and ensure continuity of care with the HUV, leveraging the region's below-average transfer times.
The project's four pillars are: early pre-hospital and triage detection, antibiotic administration within one hour, early resuscitation and hemodynamic monitoring, and rapid control of the infectious source. At the hospital level, the model includes detection using validated scales, Sepsis Code activation, immediate antibiotic treatment, patient monitoring, diagnostic tests, and source control.
The initiative follows recommendations from bodies such as the Comissió Assessora en l'Atenció al Pacient amb Sèpsia Greu (CAAPAS), the national Sepsis Code group, and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
Beyond immediate care improvement, Osona Sèpsia aims to generate scientific knowledge. Quality indicators such as response times, treatment administration, and patient outcomes will be analyzed to evaluate the model's effectiveness and share findings.
Through this project, the Consorci Hospitalari de Vic and the SEM reinforce their commitment to innovation and healthcare coordination, positioning Osona as a benchmark in addressing this medical emergency.
