Keywords
nursing education
structured teaching
critical care
clinical practice
early detection
Pakistan
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Sepsis remains a life-threatening condition and a leading cause of mortality globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite being preventable with early recognition and intervention, nurses often lack the required knowledge and practical skills to detect and manage sepsis effectively. This gap is especially evident in general wards, where early symptoms are commonly first observed.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching program in improving nurses’ knowledge and practices related to the recognition and management of sepsis in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed with pre- and post-intervention assessments. Forty nurses from ICU and neurosurgical wards at Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital, Sargodha, participated. Data were collected using a sepsis knowledge questionnaire and a nursing practice checklist. The intervention consisted of three structured training sessions delivered over three weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, applying paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-intervention scores.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in nurses’ knowledge and practice scores after the intervention. The mean difference in knowledge was 0.311 (p < 0.001), and in practice was 0.327 (p < 0.001). Post-intervention, knowledge improved by 32.4% and practice by 34.0%, particularly in areas such as early assessment, timely antibiotic administration, and patient communication.
Conclusion: Structured educational interventions significantly enhance nurses’ ability to recognize and manage sepsis. Continued training, simulation, and institutional support are essential for sustaining improvements