Nursing Impact in Surviving Sepsis Campaign
Early Identification
1. Early identification is a necessary first step that must precede timely implementation of the early resuscitation bundle elements, and thus to decreasing sepsis related mortality.
Early identification is enhanced through the use of a screening tool that provides cues to sepsis related signs and symptoms. An example of a severe septic shock screening tool and checklist used at an Omaha, NE hospital is linked below. It can be used any time severe sepsis/septic shock is suspected. It is important to point out that signs or symptoms explained by other disease processes, medications, etc., are NOT to be selected.
This tool is very sensitive, but NOT SPECIFIC. When a tool is very sensitive, it will identify most patients who have severe sepsis or septic shock. When a tool is noted to be NOT SPECIFIC, it means that there will be many false positives. This tool is used to screen patients for severe sepsis / septic shock. It does NOT diagnose the patient. There are several other disease processes that can cause similar symptoms. With this in mind, it is necessary for the physician to evaluate the patient and make the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock
