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Implementation of a MEWS‐Sepsis screening tool: Transformational outcomes of a nurse‐led evidence‐based practice project
Author(s) -
Roney Jamie K.,
Whitley Barbara E.,
Long JoAnn D.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nursing forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.618
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1744-6198
pISSN - 0029-6473
DOI - 10.1111/nuf.12408
Subject(s) - mews , early warning score , medicine , sepsis , psychological intervention , health care , acute care , intensive care medicine , emergency medicine , medical emergency , nursing , economics , economic growth
Background One in three patients who die in the hospital has sepsis. Alerting clinicians to early detection of high‐risk patients before deterioration is a top health care priority. Modified Early Warning Scoring (MEWS) tools have assisted organizations in identifying at‐risk patients at the first sign of subtle deterioration. Aim and setting In conjunction with an academic‐clinical partner, we evaluated, revised and implemented a modified MEWS‐Sepsis screening tool in an acute care facility. Participants One hundred and thirty‐nine direct‐care nurses participated in tool evaluation. Methods Using a plan‐do‐study‐act cycle of quality improvement, critical care scenarios from septic patient data were created and tested in a simulated setting. Results Upon implementation of the MEWS‐Sepsis tool, the monthly risk‐adjusted sepsis mortality rate immediately declined by 24%. The decline in mortality has been sustained from implementation to the present, spanning a 5‐year period. Conclusions The implementation of a MEWS‐Sepsis screening tool contributed to early identification and implementation of time‐sensitive interventions aimed at preventing sepsis‐associated deaths. MEWS‐Sepsis tools hold potential for scale‐up and spreading out of evidence‐based practice nursing innovations to transform care, improve patient outcomes, and save lives.