The guidelines for sepsis care continue to evolve. With changes to the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines, the CMS requirements and the new bundle, it is no wonder sepsis continues to be a top research priority in critical care units, reports NTI Voices.
Maureen Seckel, a critical care nurse and sepsis leader at Christiana Care Health System, in Newark, DE, presented an informative session during AACN 2019, Monday, June 20. that updated attendees on the recent changes to the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines, as well as the various new research studies regarding sepsis care.
“There are many new topics that nurses need to be aware of, ranging from high-level, randomized control trials to studies that analyze steroid use for patients,” Seckel said.
During the Monday session “Top Sepsis Studies 2018-19,” Seckel discussed new studies featuring biomarkers and how they could improve early identification of sepsis. She also elaborated on studies that suggest administering antibiotics within the first hour of identification of sepsis impacts outcomes, and she highlighted research on the use of screening tools such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and the National Early Warning Score.
“It is difficult for nurses to know when to administer the correct care for patients when there are always new studies being done on sepsis,” Seckel added. “I hope the information I have provided will allow nurses to collaborate with their entire healthcare team to determine the right care for sepsis patients.”
Seckel shared that a lot of research still must be done on sepsis, particularly finding ways to promptly and accurately identify sepsis. As our understanding of sepsis continues to evolve, further research will clarify which strategies improve patient outcomes. “The epidemiology and mortality rate of sepsis is still very high in many areas of the world,” Seckel said. “As our knowledge grows from the science, nurses will know how to care for patients the best way possible.”
-Printed with permission from NTI Voices, the daily publication during the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition.
