Poster - #CU-13 - Keywords: Sepsis, Emergency Department, Nurse-Led Protocols

Importance of Nursing Identification and Nurse-Led Protocols Related to Sepsis in the Emergency Department

Kelley Pickurel and Jane Whited
Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, Campbell University

ABSTRACT:
In the Emergency Department, the majority of cases that come in are often sepsis related. On February 10th, a 65-year-old female came into the Emergency Department with an altered level of consciousness and signs and symptoms of sepsis related to a UTI. The nurses acted right away with completing the sepsis bundles but treatment was delayed by waiting for provider orders. With a nurse-led protocol that outlines treatment, nurses can act fast and treat within the 3-hour bundle timeline when code sepsis is called. This poster reviews UNC REX Emergency Department sepsis bundles while comparing them to nurse-led protocols to evaluate the effectiveness of both. While looking at the data, it can be seen that nurse-led protocols provide better patient outcomes and are needed at UNC REX to decrease mortality rates while improving compliance with sepsis bundles.