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Indicator

What data will be collected

1.

Prompt and effective treatment of the infection

The amount of time between admission and the initiation of antibiotic therapy. According to Taeb et al. (2017), “antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible after appropriate cultures have been obtained” (p. 299).

2.

Recognition of the signs and symptoms of sepsis

The data to be collected are the defining symptoms of sepsis and how they present in a given timeframe. For example, how symptoms progress from early sepsis, to severe sepsis, and septic shock.

3.

Maintaining a MAP >60mmhg

A MAP that is is less than 60mmhg can result in lack of perfusion to organs causing organ failure (Taeb et al., 2017). The data to be collected would be the mortality rates of patients with sepsis when keeping the MAP greater than or equal to 60 mmhg.

4.

Initiation of IV fluids

Blood pressure measurements are crucial to tissue perfusion. Sepsis can have symptoms of hypotension and proper management of low blood pressure can improve tissue perfusion. The data collected will be blood pressure measurements every 30 minutes to ensure that organs remain perfused.

5.

A sepsis alert system

The amount of time between sepsis alert and physician assessment can be measured. The nursing assessment is the trigger for an alert because nursing observations and charting can set off a sepsis alert.

6.

Improvement of the lab notification system

Lab results are not immediately relayed to nurses and physicians which can cause a delay in interventions. A proper notification system must be implemented to improve the speed of diagnosis.

7.

Tubing system for transportation of lab specimens

Establishing a transport system is crucial in sending lab specimens back and forth to labs. The data to be collected will be the speed in which specimens arrive to the lab.

8.

Multidisciplinary support for septic patients

According to Taeb et al. (2017), “A multidisciplinary approach to assessment and management of septic patients is recommended. Nursing, nutrition support, respiratory therapy support, and pharmacy are critical to achieving good outcomes” (p. 304). Overall quality of care will be measured when incorporating treatment and comfort care.

9.

Teaching of sepsis risks

At risk populations should be educated on their risks of developing infections. Patients with impaired immunity, diabetics, neutropenic patients, and other at-risk patients should be educated (Thompson et al., 2019). Teach back methods can be used to measure the understanding of teaching.

10.

Maintaining supplies for specimen collection

Having appropriate supplies can improve the speed of specimen collections and can prevent contamination of specimens. The data to be measured are supply availability and its impact on sepsis detection.

Who

1 – 10: Emergency department patients

What

1 – 10: early detection of sepsis

Where

1-10: Emergency department

Why

1-10: to improve the detection speed and decrease the time in between the initiation of interventions

When

Within the first couple hours of admission

How

1. Broad spectrum antibiotics will be initiated as soon as possible

2. Clinical judgment and observation of sepsis symptoms

3. Using IV fluids, vasopressors, and other treatments to maintain perfusion to vital organs

4. Designing a protocol to initiate IV fluids for anybody suspected of sepsis infection

5. Designing a set of parameters based on a sepsis protocol that can alert medical staff of possible infection based on lab values, vitals, and assessments.

6. Improving the user interface and notification system for lab results

7. Implementing a transportation system for delivery of lab specimens

8. Involvement of respiratory treatments, emotional support, medications, etc., for better comfort for septic patients.

9. Education to patients at risk for sepsis and prevention strategies.

10. Maintaining sufficient supply stocks