Using evidence-based practice, clinicians can improve patient outcomes by reducing variability in processes across the continuum of sepsis care. Approximately 7,000 children die every year from sepsis in the United States. However, the actual number of associated deaths is likely to be higher as many patients with an underlying disease process, such as prematurity or congenital heart disease, also die from sepsis.
Our sepsis courses and simulation tool, along with other CHA initiatives, are helping to change that.
Pediatric Learning Solutions courses and recognition tool
Pediatric Sepsis
- Describe mechanism of pediatric sepsis in relation to the inflammatory response and organ dysfunction.
- Examine clinical manifestations in pediatric sepsis, including severe sepsis/septic shock.
- Discuss common causative organisms of pediatric sepsis.
- Identify patients at risk for pediatric sepsis.
- Examine laboratory and diagnostic tests frequently used in screening for or monitoring of pediatric sepsis.
- Discuss treatment strategies.
Caring for the Pediatric Patient in Shock
- Recognize and differentiate obstructive, cardiogenic, hypovolemic and distributive shock.
- Explain the management strategies for each type of shock.
- Follow the pediatric-specific national guidelines for septic shock management.
Neonatal Sepsis
- Identify factors that make the newborn infant more susceptible to infection.
- Contrast early- and late-onset sepsis in the neonate.
- Identify the most common sites of infection in the newborn infant that may lead to sepsis, including the common organisms responsible for infection, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic and treatment modalities.
- Describe care interventions and treatment modalities for congenital infections seen in the newborn.
- Recognize the indicators of neonatal sepsis including clinical signs, laboratory data and diagnostic tests.
- Outline the current standards of care in the management of neonatal sepsis, including common broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of neonatal infections.
Pediatric Deterioration Recognition and Escalation of Key Findings
- The E-Sim tool is an interactive experience that walks clinicians through a simulation to recognize sepsis in a deteriorating patient.
- As part of the PLS Acute Care Library, this tool is intended to test and validate the clinician's ability to recognize, anticipate and appropriately escalate care.
- This award-winning tool has been honored by Brandon Hall and the International E-learning Association (IELA).
