Critical Care Nurses’ Knowledge and Experience of Sepsis Assessment and Management

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis is a major global health issue, often leading to delayed recognition due to its varied symptoms. ICU nurses play a crucial role in early detection, but there are knowledge gaps in their understanding of sepsis assessment and management.

Aim: to examine critical care nurses’ knowledge and experience of caring for patients with sepsis.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on a convenience sample of 320

nurses working in ICUs at various hospitals in Jordan. Valid and reliable tools assessed nurses’

knowledge, confidence, and clinical reasoning regarding sepsis management.

Results: The study found that many nurses had deficiencies in identifying various SIRS criteria associated with sepsis, such as hypotension, low temperature, high respiratory rate, and high-risk groups. The overall sepsis knowledge score among the nurses reflected a moderate level of knowledge, with hypotension being identified as the most challenging aspect of care.

Conclusion: This study highlights critical gaps in the knowledge and experience of critical care nurses in assessing and managing sepsis. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing education and targeted training programs to improve patient outcomes.