Early recognition and rapid intervention of sepsis: Implementation of a focused educational initiative emphasizing early goal-directed therapy in the emergency department

Abstract

Introduction: Prompt recognition of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)/sepsis and early initiation of goal-directed therapy in the emergency department is vital for improved patient outcomes. The aim of this educational initiative was to implement an educational program detailing the imperative steps within the “golden hour” of early recognition and intervention of SIRS/sepsis in the emergency department and analyze the effectiveness of the intervention.

Methodology: This performance improvement project was the program evaluation of a mandatory educational initiative, incorporating a retrospective, repeated measures, test-retest, time series design for registered nurses working in the emergency department who were specifically trained in the emergency department triage (n = 38), at an emergency department between January 2008-March 2008.

Conclusions/Significance: Results of the statistical analysis showed a positive change between pre-test (t1) and initial post-test (t2) scores, (t1 and t2) p = .000, (95% CI -5.072, -3.402), indicating understanding of the educational material provided and between (t1) and one-month post-test (t3) scores, (t1 and t3) p = .0001, (95% CI -5.345, -3.780), showing retention of the educational material. The educational initiative implemented in the emergency department was beneficial in educating the nurses and resulted in practice change at the facility. As a result, the educational initiative was implemented as a house-wide annual nursing competency. The initiative was instrumental in the development of a house-wide interprofessional, collaborative sepsis task force.