Optimizing ED Sepsis Care-Optimizing ED Sepsis Care Infographic

Optimizing ED Sepsis Care Infographic
Pdf Summary
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. Over the past 20 years, there have been significant advancements in sepsis care, leading to improved patient outcomes. One important development was the introduction of early goal-directed therapy in 2001, which showed positive results in severe sepsis and septic shock cases.<br /><br />The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) has played a crucial role in improving sepsis care. The campaign has introduced best practice guidelines and has continued to update them over the years. In addition, SSC has established partnerships with organizations like the National Institutes of Health to apply quality improvement models.<br /><br />To optimize sepsis care in the emergency department (ED), there are several clinical care and bedside considerations that should be followed. This includes screening all patients during triage, recognizing high-risk populations, activating sepsis alerts, and rapidly implementing care protocols such as vascular access, fluid resuscitation, antibiotic administration, and vital sign reassessment.<br /><br />Process improvement goals can also help enhance sepsis care in the ED. These include having sepsis champions among nurses, physicians, and leadership, implementing standardized protocols and order sets, using bedside reminder tools, and establishing a multidisciplinary sepsis performance improvement program.<br /><br />There are various barriers and challenges in sepsis care, including lack of resources, staff onboarding and education, disorganized teamwork, poor compliance with protocols, and incomplete documentation. Overcoming these barriers requires addressing organizational culture, implementing dedicated performance improvement processes, and ensuring proper education and training of staff involved in patient care.<br /><br />Sepsis has significant human and economic impact, with sepsis-related death occurring every 90 seconds in the United States. It is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals and survivors often experience long-term physical and cognitive disabilities. Sepsis also places a large financial burden on hospitals, especially with the addition of sepsis care to the CMS Value-Based Purchasing Program in 2024.<br /><br />Early recognition and evidence-based treatment are essential in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis. By following the recommended tactics and addressing the barriers in sepsis care, emergency departments can improve outcomes for septic patients.
Keywords
sepsis
early goal-directed therapy
Surviving Sepsis Campaign
emergency department
care protocols
barriers
organizational culture
staff training
morbidity
mortality