In modern healthcare, not all dangers are immediately visible. Among the most serious — and most preventable — threats facing hospitalized patients is sepsis caused by healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
It can start with a single unnoticed pathogen.
It can end with multi-organ failure.
And often, it moves too fast.
Understanding the connection between HAIs and sepsis is not just a matter of data — it’s a matter of life and death.
What Is Sepsis — and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection triggers widespread inflammation, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
When HAIs go unnoticed or unmanaged, they can quickly progress to sepsis, especially in vulnerable patients such as:
- Intensive Care Unit patients
- Post-surgical patients
- The elderly or immunocompromised
In Europe, over 3.4 million people develop sepsis every year, and around 700,000 die from this condition. (European Sepsis Alliance, 2023).
In Italy, an estimated 50,000 new cases of sepsis occur every year, with a hospital mortality rate ranging between 25% and 35%. (Ministero della Salute; ARS Toscana, 2024).
Sepsis linked to healthcare-associated infections is particularly dangerous: mortality can exceed 50% in cases of organ failure. (PubMed – Mortality Trends in Sepsis, Northeastern Italy, 2024 )
In Intensive Care Unit(ICU) Patients, the Risk is Even Higher
In intensive care units, where patients are already in critical condition, the risk of developing sepsis is higher.
According to European data from ECDC and the HAI-Net ICU (2023):
- The average mortality rate for sepsis in intensive care units ranges from 25% to 30%, but it can exceed 50% in cases of organ failure. (ECDC – HAI-Net ICU Surveillance Report 2024; ARS Toscana, 2024)
- Infections related to invasive devices (such as central venous catheters, ventilators, and urinary catheters) represent the main source of sepsis in hospitals.
- In cases of multiple organ failure, mortality exceeds 50%.( European Sepsis Report 2023 (PDF))
Antibiotic Resistance: A Deadly Multiplier
One of the most concerning aspects of sepsis caused by HAIs is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which continues to rise in Italy and across Europe.
According to the latest AIFA 2025 report:
- Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (which causes pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis) increased from 20.3% in 2018 to 26.2% in 2023. AIFA – Rapporto Antibiotici 2025 (PDF))
- Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to third-generation cephalosporins increased from 52.7% to 55.2% over the same period. AIFA – Rapporto Antibiotici 2025 (PDF))
In the presence of resistant bacteria, the risk of death from sepsis doubles or even triples.(ECDC – Surveillance of AMR in Europe, 2023).
Prevention Starts Before the Infection
Prevention is the first and most powerful weapon against ICA and sepsis. It means acting early, reinforcing every step in the care pathway: from hand hygiene to the proper use of invasive devices to the strict monitoring of sanitation protocols.
Un approccio preventivo riduce la diffusione dei patogeni, protegge i pazienti più vulnerabili e alleggerisce la pressione sui reparti ospedalieri.
To be effective, prevention must be constant, measurable, and supported by reliable tools.
HANDHY® aims to make prevention simpler, more effective and sustainable.
- Detects hand hygiene non-compliance in real time
- Tracks high-risk contact points and response times
- Gives healthcare teams data visibility to intervene early
- Supports safer patient outcomes without disrupting workflow
Every infection prevented is a life potentially saved — and every moment of hygiene compliance reduces the risk of sepsis developing from a minor exposure.
One Missed Step Can Lead to Catastrophe
Sepsis from HAIs is a silent killer — but it doesn’t have to be.
At Handhy, we believe that technology should empower healthcare workers, not replace them.
Our goal is simple: help prevent the preventable by catching risk factors early and giving staff the tools they need to act fast.
Because safety isn’t just a protocol — it’s a promise.
Ready to build a stronger hygiene culture in your hospital? Contact us for more info or to request a consultation