Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Primary Minor
Leadership
Thesis Advisor
Deborah Meshel, BSN, MSN
Abstract
Sepsis, a severe condition triggered by the body's response to infection, requires prompt treatment to prevent tissue damage and organ failure. The SEP-1 Sepsis bundle, developed by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to standardize care, particularly in rural hospitals with limited resources. However, disparities in bundle adherence and mortality rates persist, with rural areas facing more significant challenges. Studies show racial differences in care quality, emphasizing the need for interventions to address systemic biases. While sepsis bundle adherence and simulation training are strong indicators of care improvement, the literature review underscores the need for targeted interventions in rural settings and addresses racial inequities in protocol activation. This research proposal utilizes a quantitative quasi-experimental design to examine the impact of nurse-led training programs on sepsis recognition and treatment initiation. Data collection relies on Medicare and Medicaid Quality service measures, emphasizing the time from first contact to sepsis alert activation and treatment. Pre-intervention data collection will establish baselines, while the educational program aims to enhance nurses' sepsis management skills. Post-intervention data evaluation will assess changes in mortality rates, alert activation times, and treatment adherence. Using descriptive statistics and t-testing, analysis of post-intervention data will determine significant differences between pre-and post-intervention measures; a p-value < 0.05 will indicate rejection of the null hypothesis.