Date of Graduation

Spring 5-18-2023

Document Access

Restricted Project/Capstone - USF access only

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Abstract

Problem: Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection (CDC, 2023). Healthcare institutions have adopted sepsis bundles to ensure early and effective management of sepsis. This quality improvement project is designed to increase sepsis bundle compliance through increased sepsis education to decrease morbidity/mortality rates within Hospital X’s Medical Surgical/Telemetry Unit.

Context: This quality improvement project was implemented in a Medical Surgical Unit at a metropolitan Bay Area hospital, Hospital X. The patient population within this microsystem poses a significant risk for septicemia. Data shows that the current rates of morbidity/mortality related to sepsis are above the national benchmark, indicating a need for intervention measures.

Intervention: The proposed intervention includes implementing sepsis education badge buddies sepsis bundle signage, refresher training, and increasing staffing of RRT within the microsystem to increase staff compliance with the sepsis bundle, eCARTs, and RRT and ultimately reduce morbidity/mortality rates.

Measures: Initially obtained active and passive observational data to assess current sepsis protocols, microsystem resources such as the sepsis bundles, eCARTs, rapid response team (RRT) communication, and evaluate registered nurse (RN) sepsis bundle compliance. Through in-person handouts of anonymous self-administered qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, data was gathered to reflect Hospital X's sepsis education effectiveness, RN knowledge of eCARTS and RRT, compliance with current sepsis bundle, and verbatim recommendations from staff were collected (See Appendix K).

Results: Analysis of reported questionnaire completions demonstrated a 67% RN response rate. Of the 36 participants, only 30 reported receiving sepsis bundle training, and 16.7% of nurses indicated that they did not receive a sepsis bundle (See Appendix I). To evaluate the effectiveness of their training, RNs rated their training method on a scale of 0-10, with 0 indicating no knowledge and 10 indicating a high level of expertise. 50% of respondents rated the training as effective (>8 out of 10), 36.1% rated it as moderately effective (5-7 out of 10), and 11.1% rated it as ineffective (1-4 out of 10). Considering rapid response effectiveness in managing the care of patients admitted with sepsis, 88.9% of respondents rate RRT processes to be effective. Respondents demonstrated a need for increased education practices and resources to better guide them in providing proper sepsis prevention care.

Conclusion: Collected data provides insight into deficits in the current sepsis care of Hospital X's Medical Surgical/Telemetry Unit, including a need for increased education. Questionnaires revealed a moderate mean of sepsis education effectiveness. Further implementation of education resources and skills training should be implemented and evaluated throughout the microsystem to improve sepsis bundle compliance, increase early recognition of sepsis, and optimize sepsis patient care. Recommendations for the next steps include implementing and evaluating badge buddies, sepsis bundle signage, refresher training, and increased staffing of RRTs.

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