Knowledge and attitude towards identification of sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and septic shock among nurses in wards of three Genoese Hospitals: an observational descriptive study.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which is difficult to recognize. The use of a questionnaire developed by Dr Rahman et al in 2018 could be a valid instrument for assessing the knowledge and attitudes of nursing staff towards the recognition of this syndrome.

Aim: We conducted a descriptive observational study at three Genoese hospitals (E.O. Ospedali Galliera, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and Ospedale Villa Scassi) to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and septic shock.

Methods: After gaining the author's authorization, the questionnaire was translated into Italian with the backward-forward translation method. Subsequently, five experts were asked to state the Content Validity Index on a 4-point Likert Scale with a final value of 0.88. Then the research instrument was forwarded to the head nurses of the medical, specialist, surgical, critical, and intensive wards of the three hospitals mentioned above.

Results: Nurses were reach between July and September 2021 and data collection will end on Sunday 19 September 2021. Different degrees of nursing skills will be identified, and the expected results will be classified according to the experience of the nurses, the type of care provided in the individual hospital departments and specialized staff training.

Conclusions: The understanding and awareness of nurses on sepsis, SIRS and septic shock should be high to improve the patients' outcome.

Nursing Implications: Nurses should recognize the indicators of sepsis, SIRS and septic shock so that appropriate treatment and care can be started off for affected patients.