Raising awareness

The Lee Spark NF Foundation conducted a one-month survey from the 14th Sept 2011 to the 14th October 2011. We wanted to collate as much information as we could to understand how necrotising fasciitis can easily progress from a mere scratch to having an every day surgical operation. These questions were vital to ask in order to continue our project of raising awareness of necrotising fasciitis to the layman and to educate and work with all levels of medical staff.

Necrotising Fasciitis is not a new infection and was first recorded in the medical journals in the 16th century, why are we still having to raise the profile after all these years. Necrotising fasciitis more commonly known as IGAS gangrene is an extremely ravenous infection that manifests to inches per hour and can take a life within three days. Yet why is this classed as rare when at least 4,000 people contract nf per year.

We found the answers to this survey quite alarming and we shall be using these findings appropriately to help raise awareness of this devastating infection that has affected so many survivors/ bereaved and their families. We will work hard for these people approaching all medical clinicians and educating them by any means possible in order to save lives.

The findings also proved that when nf is not diagnosed quickly there is a massive drain on the NHS. Due to the current cut backs of a reduced budget of £20, billion pounds over the next four years all medical staff must diagnose nf as early as possible. Remember HCAI (Health Care Acquired Infections) are costing the NHS as estimate of £1 billion pounds per year. The statistics are 1 person in every 300 die from a HCAI.

It is important that ‘Engaging and involving patients in sustaining progress’ must be continued for future improvements. Using root cause analysis to investigate and learn from serious incidents.

This document is just a beginning of future surveys and with the help of survivors, bereaved, relatives and their friends we all hope that lives will be saved by raising awareness together.

Thank you all for participating in this survey your help is invaluable to the charity and all medical clinicians.

Doreen Marsden Founder of The Lee Spark NF Foundation Registered charity number: 1088094