National Pediatric Sepsis Symposium 2026

National Pediatric Sepsis Symposium 2026
Registration Opening Soon
  • 22 October 2026
  • 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sidra Medicine Auditorium

Overview

Sidra Medicine is proud to host the National Pediatric Sepsis Symposium 2026 and bringing together healthcare professionals, clinical leaders, quality and safety experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Under the theme “Delivering Reliable and Future-Ready Pediatric Sepsis Care,” the symposium will serve as a national platform to advance excellence in pediatric sepsis recognition, management, and outcomes across Qatar.

The event aims to strengthen collaboration among healthcare organizations and foster a shared commitment to improving the quality, consistency, and safety of sepsis care. Through expert presentations, panel discussions, and the exchange of practical experiences, participants will explore evidence-based approaches to early sepsis identification, timely intervention, and sustainable quality improvement. The symposium will also showcase successful local and international initiatives that have enhanced patient outcomes and reduced variability in care delivery.

A key focus of the program will be the promotion of data-driven strategies to monitor performance, measure outcomes, and support continuous improvement. By aligning stakeholders around national priorities and best practices, the symposium seeks to contribute to the development of integrated, reliable, and future-ready pediatric sepsis care pathways.

Topics/Sessions

  • A Family’s Journey Through Paediatric Sepsis
  • Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026: What Every Clinician Needs to Know
    Reducing Variation and Missed Sepsis: Why Children Continue to Be Missed
  • Implementing Sepsis Improvement Programmes
  • Qatar’s National Sepsis Strategy: A Ministry of Public Health Perspective
  • The New Sidra Medicine Paediatric Sepsis Guidelines: From Policy to Practice
  • Phoenix Criteria for Paediatric Sepsis: Problem Solved or New Challenges?
  • The Deteriorating Child: A Real Case
  • Using EMR Automation and Alert Systems for Sepsis Screening
  • CLABSI- to salvage the line or replace
  • Antibiotic Stewardship, Pharmacy Optimisation & HAIs in Paediatric Sepsis
  • Maternal Sepsis and Implications for the Neonate
  • Early Identification of suspected Neonatal sepsis: A Nurse led approach beyond blood cultures.
  • Sepsis in Oncology and Post-BMT Patients on Newer Immunomodulators
  • Early Recognition Across the Care Continuum: Evidence and Best Practice
  • Genomics, Host-Response Research & Sepsis: Where Does Qatar Stand?

Conference Objectives:

  • To enhance national awareness and early recognition of sepsis, and disseminate latest evidence-based practices in sepsis screening, prevention and management
  • To promote multidisciplinary collaboration across healthcare organizations in Qatar.
  • Aims to support continuous professional development by providing a platform for education, knowledge exchange, and discussion of emerging clinical guidelines and innovations in sepsis care.

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Midwives
  • Pharmacists
  • Allied Health

Speakers

International Speakers

  • “Prof Luregn Schlapbach (Professor of Paediatric Intensive Care,University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland)
  • Prof Enitan Carrol (Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases,University of Liverpool, UK)
  • Dr Yasser Kazzaz (Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Saudi Arabia)

Program Overview

Time Type Title / Topic Speaker(s) Learning Objectives
07:30 – 08:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
OPENING CEREMONY
08:00 – 08:05 OPENING Welcome and Opening Remarks Welcome delegates; introduce the symposium theme and Qatar’s commitment to paediatric sepsis improvement.
08:05 – 08:15 PATIENT
STORY		 A Family’s Journey Through Paediatric Sepsis
Patient & family narrative — video or live presentation (10 min)		 Patient Family Representative
Facilitated by Child Life / Nursing Team, Sidra Medicine		 Chair: Shaikha Al Mahmoud, Director Operations 1. Humanise the burden of paediatric sepsis through a real family experience.
2. Anchor the day’s clinical content in the patient and family perspective.
3. Set the ethical and emotional tone for the symposium.
SESSION 1 – The Science of Sepsis: New Guidelines & Definitions
08:15 – 08:45 KEYNOTE Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026: What Every Clinician Needs to Know Prof Luregn Schlapbach
Professor of Paediatric Intensive Care
University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland		 Chair: Dr AlHamadi Chair of Paediatrics, Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Dr Khalid Ansari
Mod 2: Dr Ikram Ul Haque		 1. Summarise the key changes in the 2026 SSC paediatric guidelines.
2. Identify priority recommendations for immediate clinical implementation.
3. Describe the evidence base underpinning the updated bundles.
08:45 – 09:15 KEYNOTE Reducing Variation and Missed Sepsis: Why Children Continue to Be Missed Prof Enitan Carrol
Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases
University of Liverpool, UK		 1. Quantify the burden of missed sepsis in paediatric populations.
2. Identify systems and human factors driving diagnostic variation.
3. Propose evidence-based strategies to reduce missed diagnoses.
09:15 – 09:30 KEYNOTE Implementing Sepsis Improvement Programmes Dr. Yasser Kazzaz
Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Saudi Arabia		 1. Share experience of national paediatric sepsis programme implementation in Saudi Arabia.
2. Identify transferable lessons for guideline adoption in resource-similar settings.
3. Present measurable outcome data from the Saudi improvement initiative.
09:30 – 09:40 Q & A Questions & Answers – Open Floor Facilitated by session Chairperson and Moderators
09:40 – 10:05 Morning Coffee Break & Trade Stalls
10:05 – 10:20 INAUGURATION Inauguration Ceremony Prof Ibrahim Janahi (CMO) Dr Dina Schnurman(CNO) Formal inauguration of the National Paediatric Sepsis Symposium 2026; remarks on Qatar’s national sepsis agenda.
SESSION 2 – NATIONAL STRATEGY, LOCAL GUIDELINES & THE CARE CONTINUUM
10:20 – 10:35 LOCAL 15 min Qatar’s National Sepsis Strategy: A Ministry of Public Health Perspective Rasmeh Al-Huneiti
Lead, National Quality Guidelines Programme
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Qatar		 Chair: Prof Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer, Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Dr Al Amri, PEC
Mod 2: Dr Dina Schnurman		 1. Present Qatar’s national sepsis policy framework and governance structure.
2. Outline MOPH priorities for sepsis surveillance and quality reporting.
3. Describe the role of national guidelines in driving system-wide improvement.
10:35 – 11:00 COMBINED The New Sidra Medicine Paediatric Sepsis Guidelines: From Policy to Practice
[Multi-speaker combined – 25 min]		 Policy Context & Opening: Dr. Manu Sundaram · Paula Ibanez (Quality & Patient Safety)
Bedside Sepsis Screening: Mohammed Sebity, Nurse ED, Sidra Medicine, , Rachel park form oncology		 1. Present the new Sidra Medicine paediatric sepsis guideline structure and key changes from the 2026 SSC.
2. Demonstrate the updated bedside screening tool and escalation criteria.
3. Walk through the management algorithm from ED triage to PICU.
4. Outline the implementation plan, audit cycle, and staff education programme.
11:00 – 11:25 KEYNOTE Phoenix Criteria for Paediatric Sepsis: Problem Solved or New Challenges? Prof Luregn Schlapbach
University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland		 1. Explain the derivation and validation of the Phoenix sepsis score.
2. Compare Phoenix with SIRS-based and legacy definitions.
3. Critically appraise limitations of Phoenix in resource-varied and neonatal settings.
11:25 – 11:45 CASE PANEL The Deteriorating Child: A Real Case
[Case-based panel discussion]
A child with fever and tachycardia presents to PED Al Wakra — tracing the journey from community to specialist care		 Panellists:
• Dr [PHCC Paediatric Lead] (Primary Care perspective)
• Dr/Paramedic [HMC Ambulance Lead] (Pre-hospital perspective)
• Dr [PEC Al Wakra Consultant] (Emergency centre perspective)
• Dr Muhammad Islam, Sidra ED (Receiving team perspective)		 1. Trace the real journey of a deteriorating child from primary care through ambulance, PED, and Sidra ED.
2. Identify critical decision points and time-to-recognition gaps across the care continuum.
3. Highlight what went well and what systemic changes could have shortened the time to treatment.
4. Agree shared referral standards and communication protocols across PHCC, HMC, PEC, and Sidra.
11:45 – 11:55 Q & A Questions & Answers – Open Floor Facilitated by session Chairperson and Moderators
11:55 – 12:50 Lunch Break, Dhuhr Prayer & Poster Viewing
SESSION 3 – SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGY & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
12:50 – 13:05 LOCAL 15 min Using EMR Automation and Alert Systems for Sepsis Screening Speakers: Sachin Sharma/ Thanzeer
Clinical Informatics, Sidra Medicine		 Chair: Dr Khalid Alyiafaei Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Dr Brian , Anaesthesia Sidra
Mod 2: Rachel Park		 1. Describe the design of EMR-based sepsis screening algorithms and automated alerts.
2. Present performance data — sensitivity, specificity, and alert fatigue — for existing tools.
3. Discuss governance frameworks for safe clinical decision support implementation.
13:05 – 13:20 LOCAL 15 min CLABSI- to salvage the line or replace Walid Mubarak
Interventional Radiologist, Sidra Medicine		 1. Describe the conundrum regarding the salavage or removal of line in CLABSI
2. Present the data on CLABSI
3. Discuss how to preventing line sepsis
13:20 – 13:35 LOCAL 15 min Antibiotic Stewardship, Pharmacy Optimisation & HAIs in Paediatric Sepsis
Combined presentation: Infectious Diseases & Pharmacy		 Dr. Eman Musalmani
Infectious Diseases, Sidra Medicine		 1. Characterise the relationship between HAIs and sepsis outcomes.
2. Outline antibiotic stewardship principles within the 2026 bundle framework.
3. Present PK/PD principles for optimising empiric dosing in paediatric sepsis.
4. Describe pharmacy-led de-escalation and medication reconciliation protocols.
13:35 – 13:45 Q & A Questions & Answers – Open Floor Facilitated by session Chairperson and Moderators
13:45 – 14:10 Afternoon Coffee Break & Trade Stalls
SESSION 4 – SPECIAL POPULATIONS [14:10 – 15:35, PARALLEL WITH WORKSHOPS A, B & C]
14:10 – 14:25 LOCAL 15 min Maternal Sepsis and Implications for the Neonate Dr. Kawla
Women’s Health, Sidra Medicine		 Chair: Dr AlHamadi Chair of Paediatrics, Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Dr Eman Musalmani Infectious Diseases, Sidra Medicine
Mod 2: Clinical pharmacist(Maher Salem)		 1. Describe the pathophysiology of maternal sepsis and transplacental effects on the foetus and neonate.
2. Identify risk factors for neonatal sepsis following maternal infection.
3. Outline joint obstetric–neonatal sepsis care pathways and alert protocols at Sidra Medicine.
14:25 – 14:40 LOCAL 15 min Early Identification of suspected Neonatal sepsis: A Nurse led approach beyond blood cultures. Dr Naveed Durrani/ Thea Marie Rivera Robleza
NICU / Neonatology, Sidra Medicine		 1. Critically appraise current biomarkers (CRP, PCT, IL-6) and novel omics approaches for neonatal sepsis.
2. Discuss the role of rapid molecular diagnostics and metagenomics in diagnosis.
3. Address the applicability and limitations of the Phoenix score in the neonatal context.
14:40 – 14:55 LOCAL 15 min Sepsis in Oncology and Post-BMT Patients on Newer Immunomodulators Dr. Shaikha Al Qahtani
Haematology-Oncology / BMT, Sidra Medicine		 1. Define the unique pathophysiology of sepsis in immunocompromised paediatric patients.
2. Discuss the impact of newer immunomodulators — checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T, JAK inhibitors — on sepsis presentation and response.
3. Present evidence-based modifications to standard sepsis bundles for oncology and post-BMT patients.
14:55 – 15:10 KEYNOTE Early Recognition Across the Care Continuum: Evidence and Best Practice Prof Enitan Carrol
University of Liverpool, UK		 1. Present evidence on time-to-recognition and outcomes across care settings.
2. Define the integrated model of sepsis recognition spanning primary care, pre-hospital, and ED.
3. Propose quality metrics for measuring pathway effectiveness across the continuum.
15:10 – 15:25 LOCAL 15 min Genomics, Host-Response Research & Sepsis: Where Does Qatar Stand? Dr. Andreas Lopez
Sidra Medicine		 1. Outline the role of host-genomics and transcriptomics in understanding sepsis endotypes.
2. Present Qatar-based and regional research initiatives in paediatric sepsis.
3. Discuss the translational pathway from genomic discovery to bedside stratified therapy.
4. Identify opportunities for Qatar to lead or collaborate in international sepsis research networks.
15:25 – 15:35 Q & A Questions & Answers – Open Floor Facilitated by session Chairperson and Moderators
PARALLEL SKILLSTATION (14:10 – 15:35) – DELEGATES PRE-SELECT ONE WORKSHOP
14:10 – 15:35 WKSHP Skillstation A:
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Paediatric Sepsis
Venue: Simulation Suite / Ultrasound Lab
Max: 20 delegates		 Dr Muhammad Islam (ED, Sidra) · Dr [PICU POCUS Lead] · Simulation Faculty Workshop Faculty 1. Identify POCUS applications in sepsis: cardiac function, fluid responsiveness, IVC collapsibility, lung ultrasound.
2. Perform a structured RUSH protocol examination on a simulator.
3. Integrate POCUS findings into real-time haemodynamic decision-making.
4. Discuss the limitations and pitfalls of POCUS in paediatric populations.
14:10 – 15:35 WKSHP Skillstation B:
Phoenix Criteria & Sepsis Screening in Practice
Venue: Seminar Room 1
Max: 30 delegates		 Prof Luregn Schlapbach (co-facilitator) · Dr [Sidra PICU Lead] · Dr Manu Sundaram Workshop Faculty 1. Calculate the Phoenix Sepsis Score for a series of real paediatric case scenarios.
2. Compare Phoenix with prior screening tools and current local triggers.
3. Design a unit-level screening algorithm incorporating Phoenix.
4. Identify patient populations where Phoenix has known limitations.
14:10 – 15:35 WKSHP Skillstation C:
Precision Hemodynamics in Pediatric Sepsis: From Physiology to Practice
Venue: Seminar Room 2
Max: 30 delegates		 Prof Samir Gupta and Prof Ikram Haque Workshop Faculty Recognize cardiovascular dysfunction in pediatric sepsis.
Use functional echocardiography and cardiac output monitoring to assess cardiac function.
Integrate hemodynamic monitoring into septic shock management.
FINAL SESSION – CLOSING PANEL DISCUSSION & CEREMONY
15:35 – 16:30 PANEL Translating Guidelines to Everyday Bedside Practice
[Panel Discussion]		 Panellists:
• Prof Luregn Schlapbach
• Prof Enitan Carrol
• Dr Yasser Kazzaz
• Dr AlHamadi
• Mohammed Sebity (Nurse ED)
• Dr Muhammad Islam
• Dr Eman Musalmani
• PHCC Representative
• HMC Ambulance Representative
• PEC Al Wakra Representative		 Chair: Prof Ibrahim Janahi Chief Medical Officer, Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Dr AlHamadi Chair of Paediatrics, Sidra Medicine
Mod 2: Dr Manu Sundaram Organising Secretary, Sidra Medicine		 1. Synthesise the day’s key messages into actionable recommendations for each clinical area.
2. Address audience questions on barriers to implementation at ward, department, and system level.
3. Agree three institutional commitments for improving paediatric sepsis outcomes at Sidra Medicine.
4. Propose terms of reference for a standing Qatar Paediatric Sepsis Network.
16:30 – 16:50 OPENING Action Points, Acknowledgements & Certificate of Attendance Prof Ibrahim Janahi
Chief Medical Officer, Sidra MedicineDr. AlHamadi
Chair of Paediatrics, Sidra Medicine		 Chair: Dr Manu Sundaram Organising Secretary, Sidra Medicine
Mod 1: Paula Ibanez Quality & Patient Safety, Sidra Medicine		 Announce key action points and next steps; acknowledge speakers, faculty, and sponsors; distribute certificates of attendance; launch the Qatar Paediatric Sepsis Network commitment statement.
★ Programme ends 16:50 — 10-minute buffer before 17:00

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