Retrospective Review of Sepsis Recognition and Response Times by Nursing Staff

Abstract

Sepsis is associated with a high mortality rate and significant morbidity, as well as costly longer hospital stays (R. Stoneking et al., 2015). The vast majority of patients suspicious for sepsis present in either the emergency department or on general hospital floors. Timely recognition and appropriate interventions are considered to be crucial for improving patient outcomes throughout the entire course of sepsis. Thus, they should be the focal point of any sepsis management program (K. Breuer & B. Hassinger, 2018). This retrospective review utilized data collected from patients who developed new sepsis or septic shock while being treated outside of the ICU between 2016 and 2021. Automated support systems and institutional protocols were in place to try to improve recognition and response times by the nursing staff (Adrieno Westphal et al., 2018).