The New Zealand Sepsis Trust has launched a new Infection Card to support GPs and primary care teams with safety-netting conversations for patients diagnosed with infections that can be managed at home.
Available in separate adult and paediatric versions, the cards outline the key warning signs of sepsis and reinforce when patients should seek urgent reassessment if their condition worsens.
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of infection with approximately 80% of sepsis cases beginning in the community, making primary care a critical point for early recognition and timely escalation.
The cards are designed to complement clinical assessment by helping patients and whānau understand that infections can deteriorate rapidly, even after an appropriate initial consultation. They provide a practical way to reinforce return advice and encourage patients to ask, "Could it be sepsis?" if symptoms worsen.
The initiative has been endorsed by primary care leaders and the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care, with several GP practices already trialling the cards ahead of a wider national rollout.
The cards were launched at GP CME South 2026 alongside new community sepsis pathways and resources to support earlier recognition and improved outcomes in primary care.
For more information please visit https://www.sepsis.org.nz/clinical-tools/
