Sepsis 101 for Nurses

Sepsis 101 for Nurses

4.55 (64 votes)

Recorded On: 10/09/2020

Description: 

Today, sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitalized patients and is a serious medical condition. In fact, every 20 seconds, someone is hospitalized for sepsis. Despite efforts to educate healthcare workers about sepsis, there is still a need for basic sepsis education. This is likely due to a number of factors, including an increase in the number of new nurses and the evolving specialties of existing nurses. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of registered nurses is projected to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, which means there will be an additional 371,500 registered nurses. However, this number doesn't account for the existing nurses who will move from one specialty to another. With these changes, there is an even greater need for sepsis education for nursing professionals.

Nurses are often the first to notice changes in a patient's signs and symptoms that may indicate the development of sepsis. But identifying sepsis can be challenging, especially in the early stages when treatment is most effective. That's why it's important for nursing students, new graduate nurses, nurses who want a refresher, and nurses who are changing their specialization to have ongoing access to accurate sepsis education. This training module aims to meet that need.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the activity, the learner should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), sepsis/severe sepsis, and septic shock;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of early recognition and treatment for patients with sepsis/severe sepsis and septic shock;
  • Review the interventions to treat sepsis/severe sepsis and septic shock;
  • Identify actions required by the nurse to facilitate appropriate care for patients with sepsis/severe sepsis and septic shock.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Kelly Nguyen, MSN, RN, PHN

Clinical Advisor

Sepsis Alliance

For over ten years, Kelly has worked to improve care for patients with sepsis. With a background in emergency nursing and performance improvement, Kelly created the sepsis program for a hospital system in the Bay Area. She also initiated a county collaborative of sepsis coordinators to enhance care delivery for patients with sepsis throughout the healthcare continuum. Kelly has presented both educational and facility-specific outcomes at a number of venues locally, nationally, and abroad.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 2.3 contact hours.

Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.9 contact hours.

Medical Disclaimer

The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.

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