The Predictors of Perceived Barriers and Facilitators of Applying Sepsis Six Guidelines Among Critical Care Nurses.

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that demands quick and cautious interventions from nurses, as they are the frontline caregivers, so they are essential in recognizing early signs of sepsis, initiating prompt healthcare interventions, and providing comprehensive care to improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine the predictors of perceived barriers and facilitators of applying evidence-based sepsis guidelines among critical care nurses.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a convenience sample of 180 nurses working in critical care settings (ICU, critical care unit, ED, burning unit, dialysis unit) at a university hospital. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to examine the predictors of perceived barriers and facilitators of applying evidence-based sepsis guidelines among critical care nurses.

RESULTS

This study revealed that the main barriers faced by critical care nurses are lack of sepsis recognition during observational rounds and delay in sepsis diagnosis by medical staff. For the most common facilitators of applying Sepsis Six guidelines, the participating nurses reported the presence of a written tool/protocol for sepsis identification and management.

CONCLUSIONS

The study emphasized the importance of the presence of evidence-based protocols for sepsis assessment and management and nurses' compliance with guidelines. Ongoing education training for nurses and providing step-by-step written checklists are a cornerstone to improving nurses' knowledge and the practical skills of early identification and management of sepsis.