Assessment and management of the septic patient: part 2

Br J Nurs. 2016 Nov 24;25(21):1196-1200. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2016.25.21.1196.

Abstract

Sepsis has gained increasing publicity in recent years, and there is now a strong focus of clinical education and training following the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. The assessment and management of a septic patients is far from simple and requires a systematic approach in both identifying and managing the condition. This second part explores sepsis care bundles and the research that underpins each of the interventions. These discussions will enable nurses to understand why each component of the sepsis care bundle is important and thus enable them to rapidly prioritise care, as early effective interventions have been shown to optimise patient outcomes.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Care bundles; Fluid resuscitation; Hypotension; Hypoxia; Sepsis.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease Management
  • Fluid Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / nursing*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hypotension / nursing*
  • Hypoxia / nursing*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Nursing Assessment*
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / methods
  • Patient Care Bundles*
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Sepsis / nursing*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents