Background: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening condition characterized by
organ failure caused by a disruption in the systemic response to an infection. Each
year, nearly 49 million people worldwide are affected by sepsis, with
approximately 40,000 of them being from Sweden. Nearly one-fifth of those
affected do not survive and die from complications. The nurse is responsible for
the care of patients with sepsis, including the administration of fluid therapy and
prescribed medications. Nurses play a central role in identifying early symptoms
of sepsis and initiating treatment. Aim: The aim of this literature review was to
compile nurses' experiences and perceptions of identifying patients with sepsis at
an early stage in inpatient care. Method: The study was conducted as a literature
review with a qualitative approach and was based on ten scientific articles. Data
collection was performed through the databases Cinahl and PubMed. The analysis
was carried out using qualitative content analysis. Results: Nurses' experiences of
identifying sepsis at an early stage in inpatient care were compiled into four main
themes: Conditions for early identification of sepsis, Structural conditions:
Guidelines, workload, work environment, Evidence-based knowledge: Theory and
instruments, Interprofessional collaboration and communication. Conclusion: The
results show that the identification of sepsis is influenced by experience,
education, and working conditions. Experienced nurses rely on their intuition,
while less experienced ones focus on measurement data. Regular education
improves the ability to detect sepsis, but high workload can delay treatment.
Assessment tools can create anxiety, and good collaboration between nurses and
doctors is crucial. Improved working conditions and effective collaboration are
needed to achieve better care outcomes.
Keywords: Experiences, Identification, Nurses, Sepsis