NURS 328: Understanding Research

Assignment 1
Facilitating Evidence-Based Practice:
Dissemination Project
Presenter: Sarah Olson, LPN, BN Student

Introduction
This presentation will provide a breakdown of the
research article, Knowledge and Recognition of SIRIS
and Sepsis among Pediatric Nurses (Knapp, Jeffery, &
Mutch, 2014).

Topics of discussion for the dissemination of this article

will include: identification of target audience, reason for
article selection, research problem and purpose, the
research design, how ethical considerations were
addressed by researchers, major findings of the study,
and the value of this article to evidence-based practice.

Target Audience
Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered
Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners who are
working in acute and critical care settings
and are responsible for the recognition and
management of pediatric patients who are
threatened by sepsis.

Clinical educators who provide resources

and education to health care professionals

Why This Research Article?

Time is of the essence. It is important that
this condition is identified quickly in order to
maximize patient outcomes.

This article is pertinent because it assesses

the ability of nurses to identify septic patients
and makes recommendations to aid nurses in
identifying sepsis in its early stages.

Research Question and Purpose

Research Question
In current practice, what is
the current level of
knowledge of Systemic
Inflammatory Response
Syndrome (SIRS) diagnostic
criteria, sepsis guidelines,
and the importance of SIRS
recognition in acute and
critical pediatric nurses?

Research Purpose
To measure the
knowledge of acute and
critical care nurses with
regards to SIRS criteria,
sepsis guidelines, and
importance of
recognizing SIRS.

Research Approach and Design

Quantitative study in which 242 acute care
and critical care pediatric nurses were asked
to complete questionnaires/case studies.

Questionnaires and case studies were

concerned with SIRS criteria, sepsis
guidelines, important interventions, and
overall attitude toward the importance of
recognizing SIRS/sepsis.

Ethical Considerations
Researchers suggest that it would be unethical and
more difficult to conduct the study by waiting for
patients to become ill/deteriorate in order to directly
observe participants using their SIRS/sepsis related
knowledge (Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch, 2014).

Assessing nurses knowledge through

questionnaires and case studies was deemed
ethically appropriate due to the nature of this
research study.

Major Findings of the Study

Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch (2014) suggest that there is a significant
knowledge deficit among study participants in many key areas of
SIRS/sepsis identification.

Findings suggest that the nurses who participated in the study were easily
able to recognize septic shock, a late stage of sepsis, but had difficulty
identifying sepsis in its initial stages (Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch, 2014).

According to Knapp et al., confusion exists in the role of blood pressure

and serum lactate results when diagnosing sepsis.

Likert statements indicated that the participants felt comfortable in

identifying septic shock, but they may not have the required knowledge to
conduct their assessment correctly (Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch, 2014).

Value to Evidence-based Practice

Study findings suggest the development of an educational
program in order to enhance the ability of nurses to
recognize sepsis in its early stages, which would allow for
earlier intervention and management, resulting in decreased
morbidity and mortality rates (Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch,
2014).

Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch state that focus needs to be placed

on educating nurses who do not usually work with the
critically ill so that sepsis can be recognized and treated early
(2014).

Conclusion
The research findings of Knapp, Jeffery, & Mutch
(2014) suggest that there is a significant knowledge
deficit among study participants and the ability to
identify SIRS/sepsis in its early stages.

After analysis of study results, researchers suggest

the implementation of an educational program to
enhance the ability of nurses to recognize early
sepsis, allowing for early intervention and
management.

Reference
Jeffery, A. D., Mutsch, K. S., & Knapp, L. (2014). Knowledge

and

Recognition of SIRS And Sepsis among Pediatric Nurses. Pediatric

Nursing, 40(6), 271-278 8p. Retrieved from

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