Sepsis: When Time Matters

Course Overview

This Course will draw on a case scenario to explain how and why sepsis develops and why time matters. Most importantly, you will gain an understanding of how you can recognise and respond in a timely manner to the early warning signs of sepsis.

Topics

• How and why does sepsis develop?
• Why is sepsis considered a major concern in healthcare?
• What methods can you utilise to recognise and respond to sepsis?
• How should sepsis be managed?

Need

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and can lead to patient mortality. Preventing mortality related to sepsis begins with early detection and timely interventions.

Education that improves knowledge and supports health professionals to be vigilant in their practice for the signs and symptoms of sepsis is vital. Appropriate, early intervention is essential to try and alleviate the morbidity and mortality caused by sepsis.

Purpose

The purpose of this Course is to provide registered nurses and other health professionals with significant education relating to the early recognition and treatment of sepsis, to reduce patient harm and improve safety.

Learning Outcomes

• Accurately assess, recognise and respond to the early signs and symptoms of sepsis.
• Apply your assessment findings to initiate timely and appropriate interventions.
• Implement measures to prevent deterioration in the patient at risk of sepsis.

Target Audience

All health professionals will gain confidence from undertaking this Course, given the potential for harm associated with sepsis.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in a position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Genevieve Brideson

Dr Genevieve Brideson completed her general nurse training in 1985, operating room certificate in 1988, midwifery in 1992, and a bachelor of nursing in 2000. She commenced aviation nursing in 1991 on commercial flights with critical care patients and then with RFDS Eastern Goldfields (now Western Operations) in 1993. She moved into hospital management roles at the end of 2007, but aviation nursing has remained her passion. She completed honours in 2010, looking at how flight nurses in Australia maintain their midwifery skills and graduated with a PhD in September 2017, which examined the work of contemporary flight nurses in Australia. Genevieve is currently working as a freelance consultant in various nursing roles, including as a member of the South Australian Health Practitioners Tribunal. See Educator Profile