Scarlett’s Journey: Hope for Sepsis Survivors Through New Telethon-Funded Program
From a vibrant 10-year-old to a critical health emergency in mere hours, Scarlett Arthur’s story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of sepsis. Her ordeal underscores the importance of ongoing support for sepsis survivors and their families.
A Shocking Health Turnaround
One ordinary August afternoon, Scarlett returned home from school with what initially seemed like a minor stomach ache. What transpired next was far from ordinary. Her health deteriorated rapidly, leading to an urgent trip to Armadale Hospital and then to Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). There, she endured days in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Despite the severity of her condition, Scarlett spent 32 days in the hospital before her release. It was only after this long ordeal that it was confirmed she had contracted sepsis—a condition that affects an alarming number of young patients.
The Incidence of Sepsis in Children
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that strikes about 500 children at Perth Children’s Hospital annually. The disease often garners significant attention when tragic cases, like that of Aishwarya Aswath, capture public attention. Aishwarya’s untimely death in 2021 highlighted the critical need for greater awareness and support.
Kayla Arthur with her daughter Scarlett, 10, and Sepsis Clinical Nurse Ashleigh Kenworthy.
Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian
Mum’s Instinct Leads to Swift Action
Kayla Arthur, Scarlett’s mother, recalls the harrowing experience vividly. “I’m just looking at her and she couldn’t walk up my stairs to the house, she was hunched over in pain, she was cold, she was white. It was my instinct to take her straight to Armadale Hospital,” Kayla recounted.
The family’s long stay in the hospital was a trying experience, compounded by the lack of post-discharge support. Following her release, Scarlett faced lingering symptoms of post-sepsis syndrome, making the transition back to normal life challenging.
Unfazed by the lack of information provided by healthcare providers, Kayla turned to Facebook groups and other online resources for guidance. “It’s very isolating going from the hospital, being there for over a month, to then being discharged and kind of ghosted, for lack of a better word,” she shared. “I had to do a lot of research online, I had to talk to a lot of other Facebook groups, support groups, that sort of thing, just to get an idea of what to expect next with the post-sepsis syndrome.”
Telethon-Funded Pilot Program Offers Hope
The desperation experienced by Kayla and Scarlett is all too common. It is why researchers at Perth Children’s Hospital, funded by Telethon, are pioneering an Australian-first care program aimed at improving the outcomes for sepsis survivors and their families.
This innovative two-year pilot program plans to enroll 100 patients annually, addressing the critical need for extended support and monitoring post-discharge. The program will include discharge reviews and follow-up appointments at three, six, and twelve months post-discharge.
Project lead and infectious disease expert Professor Chris Blyth emphasizes the importance of this program. “Those with sepsis are often in hospital for days and weeks, sometimes even longer, but unfortunately, their journey to recovery or their transition to home doesn’t stop there,” he explained. “Symptoms are really common after children leave hospital whether that be fatigue, pain, or intolerance of food and things such as that.”
The program aims to help families understand their children’s recovery process and the risks of reinfection. By providing sustained support and information, the initiative seeks to make the transition home smoother and more manageable for sepsis survivors and their families.
