In Emergency Department nurses, does nursing education improve recognition of signs and symptoms of sepsis and knowledge of a hospital sepsis protocol?

Lauren Waltman, SN & Frances Zondlo, SN

Introduction/Background- Sepsis/Septic Shock (SIRS with infection)- 750,000 Americans affected annually by a form of

sepsis.- Sepsis hospitalizations more than doubled from

2000 to 2008.- Rivers et al. (2001) were pioneers for early-goal

directed therapy.- Prior to admission to ICU, patients with

undiagnosed sepsis present to ED where prompt identification needs to occur.

- In most cases, nurses are the first to interact with these patients and have the potential to identify sepsis.

Methods- Study conducted at Pinnacle Health Harrisburg

Hospital Emergency Department- Twenty nurses provided with pre-quiz,

educational flyer, and post-quiz - Quizzes surveyed the following areas: nurses’

knowledge of sepsis, knowledge of hospital protocol for sepsis, and self-confidence in recognition and treatment of sepsis

- Nurses were excluded if they were unable or unwilling to participate in the educational phase or the postquiz

- Educational materials were critiqued by participating nurses via postquiz addendum

Results/Discussion- Pre-quiz:

- 95% of nurses reported confidence in their abilities to recognize sepsis

- 75% of nurses failed to recognize key signs and symptoms

- Unable to differentiate between local infection and potential sepsis

- Unaware of fluid resuscitation protocol

- Post-quiz: - 100% of nurses correctly identified key

signs and symptoms of sepsis- Improvement in recognition of potential

sepsis versus local infection in Case Study- Improvement in awareness of fluid bolus

protocol

- Limitations

Conclusion- Ongoing education on identification of sepsis and

protocols is recommended for ED nurses and staff - Improving communication amongst ED and ICU- Further research needed of nurses’ role in sepsis

identification and treatment

Special Recognition to the Managers and Staff of Pinnacle Health Harrisburg Hospital ED

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