The Role of Nurses in Early Detection and Management of Sepsis in Acute Care settings : Scoping review
Mekonnen, Muluken; Paudel, Salu; Pudasaini, Suman (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601151338
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601151338
Tiivistelmä
Background: Sepsis is a clinical syndrome in which an infection triggers a dysregulated host response leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. Detecting and treating signs of sepsis as early as possible is a vital measure in determining the patient’s prognosis. Nurses can undertake the earliest signs of sepsis in hospital acute settings.
Objectives: This study aims to explore empirical evidence of nurses’ contribution to sepsis management and examine the promoting or obstructing factors for positive nursing outcomes in the process of early sepsis care.
Design and Methods: This is a scoping review designed based on Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) methodological framework and the guidance of JBI’s approach on evidence synthesis. 12 articles (published between 2015 and 2024) were screened out of three online search engines of PubMed, CINAHL and MEDLINE with the inclusion criteria. The JBI critical appraisal tool was used for critical evaluation, and a data table was created through the inductive approach to analyze the evidence.
Results: Nurses contributed to early sepsis interventions mainly through constant patient observational assessment, Early Warning Score (EWS) and sepsis bundles. Education programs, teamwork spirit as well and application of theories and leadership were facilitating the improvement of sepsis survival rate while lack of knowledge, decreased clarity of guidelines, heavy nursing workload and unclear responsibilities presented significant downhills in nursing practices.
Conclusion: Ongoing education, clear care protocols, and interprofessional collaboration can strengthen nurses’ ability to detect sepsis early and improve patient survival in acute care settings.
Objectives: This study aims to explore empirical evidence of nurses’ contribution to sepsis management and examine the promoting or obstructing factors for positive nursing outcomes in the process of early sepsis care.
Design and Methods: This is a scoping review designed based on Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) methodological framework and the guidance of JBI’s approach on evidence synthesis. 12 articles (published between 2015 and 2024) were screened out of three online search engines of PubMed, CINAHL and MEDLINE with the inclusion criteria. The JBI critical appraisal tool was used for critical evaluation, and a data table was created through the inductive approach to analyze the evidence.
Results: Nurses contributed to early sepsis interventions mainly through constant patient observational assessment, Early Warning Score (EWS) and sepsis bundles. Education programs, teamwork spirit as well and application of theories and leadership were facilitating the improvement of sepsis survival rate while lack of knowledge, decreased clarity of guidelines, heavy nursing workload and unclear responsibilities presented significant downhills in nursing practices.
Conclusion: Ongoing education, clear care protocols, and interprofessional collaboration can strengthen nurses’ ability to detect sepsis early and improve patient survival in acute care settings.