J Nurs Care Qual. 2025 Apr 22. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000868. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early recognition and intervention of sepsis in the pediatric population have been shown to decrease hospital length of stay and mortality rates. Stakeholders within a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) identified a need to improve sepsis recognition in compliance with the Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes Collaborative recommendations.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate screening variables in an electronic health record (EHR)-embedded sepsis screening tool to improve sepsis recognition in the PICU setting.
METHODS: A retrospective data analysis was conducted to test 3 versions of an EHR sepsis screen including triggers based on vital signs and/or laboratory results.
RESULTS: Of the 3 tested versions, the sepsis screen version that triggered based on both vital signs and laboratory findings showed the most promising results with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 76%.
CONCLUSIONS: EHR-embedded sepsis screens that monitor documented variables can identify potential sepsis while avoiding over-triggers.
PMID:40262178 | DOI:10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000868
