Project Title
Date of Award
Summer 2023
Document Type
Final DNP Paper
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chair
Dr. Jolie Wildinger
Preceptor
Donna Nicholson
Abstract
Background: Sepsis is a physical reaction to infection that can cause bodily injury, organ deterioration, and death (Sepsis Alliance, 2022). Early sepsis identification and intervention requires staff engagement in quick recognition and implementation of care (Jorgensen, 2019). Septic patients require prompt initiation of intravenous fluids, hemodynamic observation, and appropriate laboratory testing (Evans & Rhodes, 2021). Rapid detection of sepsis can prevent patients from progressing to severe sepsis and septic shock, increasing the risk of mortality (Jorgensen, 2019). As a result of the high mortality rates and complications associated with this health disparity, evidenced-based care bundles were developed to improve care and promote survival (Khan & Divatia, 2010).
Purpose: This DNP project aims to improve early sepsis recognition in adult emergency department patients through early goal-directed sepsis screening.
Methods: The quality improvement project evaluates the accuracy of sepsis screening during triage in the emergency department. Patient presentations to the emergency department vary. Despite the arrival mode, sepsis screening should occur through a structured process and include multi-disciplinary communication with positive findings.
Results: A closed chart audit of the sepsis screening post-project revealed a 7% improvement in early sepsis recognition. Measuring the frequency (%) that the triage RN accurately documented whether the patient met SIRS screening criteria was the primary tool utilized by the principal investigator. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics through mean, standard deviation, and percentages.
Conclusion: The DNP project assisted with increasing early sepsis recognition awareness within the emergency department. The positive momentum from this project has allowed the organization to continue with a plan-do-study-act approach to expand improvement in early sepsis recognition and intervention implementation. Continued improvement in these areas allows for increased sepsis bundle compliance, decreased mortality rates, sepsis, improved publicly reported ratings, decreased hospital length of stay, and decreased readmissions.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Rebecca, "Improving Early Sepsis Recognition and Treatment by Utilizing the Surviving Sepsis Campaign in Emergency Department Patients" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 104.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/104