title: Impact of a sepsis educational program on nurse competence.
abstract: Sepsis is an emerging life-threatening entity and a worldwide epidemic. Nurses are in key positions to identify patients with sepsis, mobilize the medical team, and implement interventions. A study of self-assessed nurse competence was conducted to determine the influence of a specially designed sepsis education program on nurses' perceived ability to identify early, intervene, and care for patients with sepsis. The program was a multimodal design incorporating online interactive didactic presentations, video vignettes, pre- and postknowledge tests, and high-fidelity medical simulation scenarios. A sample of 82 critical care and emergency department nurses in a 1-year critical care nurse training program was used for this study. Pretest and posttest module knowledge scores and self-assessed competence data were collected and analyzed. No improvement in the overall self-assessed competence scores was found; however, self-perceived frequency of use of competence behaviors improved. Participants felt more competent on three sepsis-targeted statements, and posttest knowledge scores showed significant improvement.
authors: Margaret M
authors: MM
authors: Delaney
authors: M Isabel
authors: MI
authors: Friedman
authors: Mary A
authors: MA
authors: Dolansky
authors: Joyce J
authors: JJ
authors: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000193:education; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*