An audit of ward nurses' knowledge of sepsis.

Many of the patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care and high dependency units develop severe sepsis/septic shock in general hospital wards. If the Surviving Sepsis Campaign's aim of a 25% reduction in mortality from sepsis is to be achieved by 2009, then it is essential that registered nurses are aware of the standard definitions of sepsis, and the recommendations for its initial management. The aim of this study was to audit ward nurses' knowledge of sepsis against standard definitions and evidence-based management guidelines.

Severe sepsis in A&E.

In this article, the author clarifies the definition of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock, describes the physiological changes that occur and the initial treatment used to improve patient outcome, and examines the concept of early goal directed therapy (EGDT).