University of Liverpool Led Study Shows Rapid Diagnostic Algorithm Can Reduce Sepsis Deaths Across NHS Hospitals

University of Liverpool Led Study Shows Rapid Diagnostic Algorithm Can Reduce Sepsis Deaths Across NHS Hospitals

(IN BRIEF) A major UK clinical trial led by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with Cardiff University and NHS partners has demonstrated that a procalcitonin-guided diagnostic algorithm can significantly reduce mortality among patients with suspected sepsis, saving an estimated 31 lives per 1,000 patients treated. The benefit was most pronounced in patients from deprived communities, indicating potential to reduce healthcare inequalities. While the approach improved survival, it did not accelerate the initiation of intravenous antibiotics, challenging earlier assumptions about its expected impact. The findings underline the importance of rapid diagnostics in sepsis care and highlight the need for further research into implementation, cost-effectiveness, and underlying mechanisms.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 23-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Liverpool, in partnership with Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research and NHS collaborators, has unveiled new evidence supporting the use of a rapid diagnostic approach to improve outcomes for patients with suspected sepsis. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, brought together clinicians and researchers from NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and 20 acute NHS hospitals across England and Wales to tackle one of the most critical challenges in emergency care.

Sepsis, a severe complication caused by infection, can quickly progress to life-threatening organ failure and is responsible for around 48,000 deaths annually in England. Findings published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine show that incorporating a procalcitonin-guided clinical decision-making algorithm into routine care can significantly reduce mortality, particularly among patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. However, the research also revealed that the intervention did not speed up the initiation of intravenous antibiotics, contrary to initial expectations.

Diagnosing sepsis in emergency departments remains highly challenging due to the overlap of its symptoms with non-infectious conditions and the absence of a definitive diagnostic test. This uncertainty can lead to both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, resulting in either unnecessary antibiotic use or delayed treatment. Both scenarios carry serious risks, including increased mortality and the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

To address these challenges, researchers conducted a large randomized controlled trial involving 7,667 patients presenting with suspected sepsis. The trial evaluated whether adding a rapid procalcitonin-guided algorithm to existing clinical practice could improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and maintain patient safety.

The results showed a 17 percent relative reduction in mortality, decreasing from 16.6 percent to 13.6 percent. This equates to approximately 31 additional lives saved for every 1,000 patients treated for suspected sepsis. The greatest benefit was observed among patients from the most deprived areas, suggesting that the approach may help reduce health inequalities. Despite these improvements, the study found no difference in the timing of intravenous antibiotic administration between the intervention and standard care groups.

Dr Stacy Todd, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and General Medicine at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and co-chief investigator, highlighted the importance of advancing rapid diagnostic tools and further developing biomarker-based algorithms. She noted that broader adoption will depend on deeper insights into how the intervention works, as well as economic evaluations and structured implementation strategies.

Professor Neil French, co-chief investigator and Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Liverpool, emphasized the importance of robust clinical research in validating tools that can reduce sepsis-related deaths. He noted that while further investigation is needed, the findings provide clinicians with greater confidence to adopt such approaches in practice.

Professor Anthony Gordon, Director of the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, pointed to the study as a strong example of how improved diagnostics can enhance patient care while also addressing antimicrobial resistance. He also highlighted the broader impact of sustained investment in health research to tackle urgent healthcare challenges.

The trial, titled Procalcitonin testing combined with NEWS2 evaluation compared with usual care based on NEWS2 for identification of sepsis and antibiotic initiation in the emergency department in England and Wales (PRONTO), marks a significant advancement in understanding how rapid diagnostic tools can improve outcomes in emergency settings.

Media Contact:

pressoffice@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool