PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Davino, Tammy
AU  - Van Hoof, Thomas J
AU  - Elwell, Joy
AU  - DeLayo, Michelle
TI  - Educational needs assessment identifying opportunities to improve sepsis care
AID  - 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001930
DP  - 2022 Dec 01
TA  - BMJ Open Quality
PG  - e001930
VI  - 11
IP  - 4
4099  - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/4/e001930.short
4100  - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/4/e001930.full
SO  - BMJ Open Qual2022 Dec 01; 11
AB  - Introduction In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed a national quality bundle for the management of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (SEP-1). Despite performance improvement measures, compliance remains low. This needs assessment is the first stage of a quality improvement initiative to improve SEP-1 compliance. Using a conceptual outcomes framework, this needs assessment analyses SEP-1 compliance data, knowledge, and competence to identify gaps in care and educational opportunities.Methods The needs assessment began with a review of national and statewide SEP-1 compliance data to identify a need for improvement. The needs assessment proceeded with a retrospective chart review to evaluate process measures and identify which providers would most likely benefit from educational interventions. A focus group provided perspective on the chart review findings.Results During the period of 1 April 2017–31 March 2018, national SEP-1 compliance was 51% and compliance at the studied institution was 19%. The chart review included 51 patients (66.7% severe sepsis, 33.3% septic shock). Frequently missed SEP-1 measures included administration of intravenous fluids (0% severe sepsis, 58.8% septic shock), repeat lactate levels (52.6% severe sepsis, 60% septic shock), documentation of volume and tissue perfusion assessment (58.8%), vasopressor administration (73.3%) and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics (76.5%, severe sepsis). Focus group perceptions identified themes related to gaps in declarative and dispositional knowledge.Conclusions This educational needs assessment highlights gaps in SEP-1 clinician performance, competence and knowledge. A multifaceted education programme is the next step for this performance improvement project. Education should include a series of meetings, activities, and workshops that include declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge and dispositional knowledge. Simulation activities can provide an opportunity for providers to demonstrate competence. Point-of-care prompts and performance measurement and feedback of patient care data can support clinician performance. This needs assessment underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to clinician education and performance to improve SEP-1 compliance.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information.