Global health website, Expertscape, has placed Austin Health’s Director of Intensive Care Research, Professor Rinaldo Bellomo in the top 0.1 per cent of world experts on sepsis based on an analysis of his published research over the past 10 years.  

Sepsis is a major health challenge that affects almost 50 million people around the world every year and is responsible for more 13% of all ICU admissions in Australia.  

Prof Bellomo has spent many years researching sepsis and its treatment.  

“Sepsis is the body’s response to an infection that causes damage to its own tissue and organs. This can lead to shock, multi-organ failure and even death,” says Prof Bellomo.  

Prof Bellomo wants everyone to be aware of sepsis as a diagnosis and to act fast.  

“Time is of the essence when it comes to sepsis, and the quicker it is diagnosed and treated the better the outcomes are likely to be for the patient,” he says.  

“Moreover, in our ICU, we are always trying to develop new and better ways to treat patients with sepsis.  

“With Ethics Committee approval following very promising pre-clinical experiments, we are soon to start a new trial of very high dose vitamin C for sepsis shock.  

“We want the Austin Health to be world famous for innovative and effective ways of treating sepsis and delivering best outcomes,” says Prof Bellomo.