Assignment 3 Sepsis QI Presentation Speaker Notes Slide 1: Title Slide

Assignment 3
Sepsis QI Presentation Speaker Notes
Slide 1: Title Slide
Welcome to this presentation on Sepsis Early Recognition and Treatment Protocols: A
Quality Improvement Approach. Sepsis remains a critical challenge in healthcare,
contributing to high mortality rates and increased hospital costs. This presentation will
analyze benchmark data, propose quality improvement initiatives, discuss interprofessional
perspectives, and explore strategies for improving sepsis management.
Slide 2: Understanding Sepsis and Its Impact
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune response to
infection. It is a leading cause of ICU admissions and is associated with high mortality rates
of 30–50% (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2023). Early recognition is critical
because every hour of delayed treatment increases mortality by approximately 8%. The
financial burden of sepsis is significant, making it essential to improve early detection and
standardized interventions.
Slide 3: Benchmark Data on Sepsis Mortality & Quality of Care
Hospitals follow various state and national benchmarks to monitor sepsis care. The Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the Sepsis Bundle to track compliance with
early antibiotic and fluid administration (AHRQ, 2021). The National Healthcare Safety
Network (NHSN) monitors mortality rates, while The Joint Commission enforces protocol
adherence for hospital accreditation. However, challenges exist in data collection due to
coding inconsistencies, alert fatigue, and varied diagnostic criteria (Biederman et al., 2024).
Slide 4: Identified Gaps & Quality Improvement Proposal
Despite sepsis protocols, delayed recognition and response remain major challenges. Alarm
fatigue from excessive EHR alerts causes desensitization among providers. Limited access
to rapid diagnostic tests and clinician hesitation due to concerns about antibiotic resistance
contribute to delays. A proposed quality improvement initiative includes refining Sepsis Early
Warning Systems (SEWS), expanding point-of-care lactate testing, and implementing
structured follow-up care for sepsis survivors (Gildea et al., 2024).
Slide 5: Knowledge Gaps & Areas of Uncertainty
Several knowledge gaps remain in sepsis management. The exact impact of alarm fatigue
on clinical outcomes is unclear, as false-positive alerts can lead to desensitization. The role
of staffing levels in protocol adherence also requires further study. Additionally, while
predictive analytics using AI show promise, their real-world effectiveness in sepsis detection
is still under investigation. Research on long-term sepsis recovery and post-discharge care
is also needed (Oudbier et al., 2024).
Slide 6: Interprofessional Perspectives in Sepsis Management
Effective sepsis management relies on interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurses play a key role
in early detection and rapid intervention. Physicians determine treatment strategies, while
pharmacists help optimize antibiotic use. Laboratory technicians ensure timely diagnostics,
and respiratory therapists manage sepsis-related complications like acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS). Interprofessional teamwork reduces response times, enhances
protocol adherence, and improves outcomes (Schinkel et al., 2022).
Slide 7: Leading Quality Improvement in Sepsis Care
To improve sepsis care, healthcare facilities must focus on workflow optimization, training
programs, and resource allocation. Key actions include refining EHR alert thresholds to
reduce false alarms, implementing post-sepsis debriefing for continuous learning,
standardizing the SOFA score for severity assessment, and ensuring adequate diagnostic
resources. These improvements enhance patient safety, reduce hospital costs, and prevent
clinician burnout by streamlining workflows.
Slide 8: Effective Collaboration Strategies for Sepsis QI
Collaboration is crucial for quality improvement. Strategies include interdisciplinary team
huddles to enhance communication, AI-driven clinical decision support to assist rapid
diagnosis, and cross-departmental sepsis training. These approaches assume that
continuous education improves compliance, predictive analytics enhance early detection,
and team-based learning fosters a culture of patient safety. Addressing these areas can
reduce response times and improve sepsis outcomes.
Slide 9: Future Directions & Innovations
Future improvements in sepsis care include machine learning-based predictive analytics,
which can identify high-risk patien