WFSA Board member, Dr. Pedro Ibarra highlights the need for PAHO member states to improve perioperative infection management to realise Sepsis Action Plans.

WFSA NSA statement on Agenda item 4.2 – Strategy and Plan of Action to Decrease the Burden of Sepsis in the Region of the Americas 2025–2029.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) welcomes PAHO’s Strategy and Plan of Action to Decrease the Burden of Sepsis in the Region of the Americas 2025–2029.
As highlighted sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality across the region. With expertise encompassing the operating room, perioperative care, critical care, emergency care and post-operative recovery anaesthesiologists are at the forefront of efforts to combat sepsis. Anaesthesiologists will play a vital role in the implementation of this action plan.
The WFSA also underscores the importance of effective management of surgical site infections (SSIs) and Patient Blood Management (PBM) as central components of the sepsis action plan.
For the sepsis action plan to succeed, strengthening anaesthesia services and ensuring the involvement of anaesthesiologists in the design and implementation of this plan are critical.
To effectively implement the sepsis strategy WFSA call on PAHO member states need to:
- Expand education and training programmes: Member states must invest in growing and strengthening the anaesthesia workforce by increasing the availability of training opportunities to instil the latest infection control and sepsis management techniques.
- Enhance perioperative care protocols: Member states need to support the development and enforcement of perioperative infection control protocols that include proper antibiotic prophylaxis for SSI, sterile techniques, and patient preparation.
- Implement Patient Blood Management Strategies: Optimizing PBM reduces the need for blood transfusions, which can increase infection risks and contribute to sepsis. .
- Develop national sepsis guidelines: Anaesthesiologists should contribute to the development of national guidelines on sepsis prevention and management, particularly in perioperative and surgical settings.
- The WFSA looks forward to working closely with PAHO and its member states to support the implementation of this essential strategy.
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