Community
16 July, 2026
Improvement enters next stage
A TEAM of key Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) staff have streamlined care for a complex presentation, with the results showing a sharp rise in early detection.
The team has been guiding a year-long process testing and implementing changes to support reliable recognition and management of sepsis for patients presenting to urgent care as part of the state-wide Safer Care Victoria (SCV) Sepsis Clinical Pathway.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which occurs when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs.
Sepsis can lead to septic shock, organ failure and even death if it’s not diagnosed and treated early.
The improvement project at TMHS involved nurse unit manager Liz Mioduchowski, infection prevention coordinator Jill O’Brien clinical educator Jane Kelly, clinical nurse consultant Elaine O’Connor and quality and risk manager Elly O’Keeffe.
“Probably in the last 12 months, interestingly enough when we started this process, we started to see an increase in sepsis presentations,” Mrs Mioduchowski.
“I think one of the benefits of undertaking this process has been faster recognition of people who are presenting very unwell because our staff have increased education and we’ve been part of the project.”
Some of the changes implemented included testing use of the SCV Sepsis Clinical Pathway to get feedback from staff, the development of a consumer information sheet so patients with suspected or confirmed sepsis have access to information on supports available and a focus on staff education to uplift confidence in the recognition and management of sepsis.
“We did some work with our community advisory committee who had brought up the fact that they themselves knew what options were available, but they knew a lot of people who may have been older, new to the community or had different diversity characteristics who may not have known what was available,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“We did some work to summarise what different services are available at the two services in Terang and Mortlake.”
TMHS director of nursing Melissa Mitchell said the work was already seeing results with patients presenting with sepsis or possible sepsis since the program commenced on the pathway had increased 67 per cent, indicating consistent practice and better outcomes for patients.
“The project strongly aligned with the health service’s strategic plan, providing exceptional care close to home,” she said.
“The work done by the staff involved to educate their colleagues and embed the pathway has been vital in ensuring the success of the project at TMHS and improving outcomes for our patients and community.
“Having staff who are equipped to quickly respond and provide immediate treatment for potentially life-threatening situations is incredibly important for people living in rural areas.”
The project, in collaboration with Safer Care Victoria (SCV), supported the implementation of the SCV Sepsis Clinical Pathway at the health service.
The pathway is the best practice guide for the management of sepsis in adults in Victoria and formed the foundation of the work completed by the project team to improve the recognition and management of sepsis.
The success was achieved in collaboration with the health service’s telehealth partners – the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and My Emergency Doctor.
The continuing aim of the project is to extend the use of the SCV Sepsis Clinical Pathway to other service streams of the health service and provide the community with information about sepsis and accessing care.
With over 80 per cent of sepsis cases starting in the community, knowing the signs and symptoms can help guide people to getting help in the early stages.
Some of the signs and symptoms of sepsis are rapid breathing and heart rate, new confusion, slurred speech or disorientation, fever or shivering, muscle pain, not passing urine and discoloured skin.
Clinical educator Jane Kelly said people can feel generally unwell and may display one or all of the signs and symptoms in early-stage sepsis.
“It is important to be particularly mindful if you have recently had a known infection,” she said.
Sepsis can be difficult to recognise as there may not be an obvious cause, but residents are reminded to trust their instincts if something doesn’t feel right.
Additional resources are available online at https://tmhs.vic.gov.au.