"Prompt diagnosis of severe sepsis by staff at the Belford Hospital Fort William"

While walking the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William on the last day I became extremely unwell. I was admitted to the Belford Hospitals Combined Assessment Unit under the care of Mr M. Loudon. I was quickly triaged with Cellulitis and sepsis, I had a temperature of 39. 8 and I was riggoring, I had bloods taken for routine sampling and blood cultures. I was commenced on fluids and intravenous paracetamol and antibiotics. The demarkation line of the sepsis was marked and I was sent for a chest and leg x-ray.

Throughout my 4 day admission the sepsis continued to move up my leg and was again marked. I had further blood cultures taken and a fasting blood sugar checked. I was sent for an Echo scan to ensure no complications from the infection. At all times I felt every member of staff were very aware of the risks around sepsis and were very pro-active in my care. I would like to thank all the Doctors that I saw especially over the week-end. and thank every member of the nursing and ancillary staff who showed care, compassion and were professional at all times even when they were run off their feet to every patient in the Unit, they made me proud to be a nurse.

Thank you all very much.