Assessment of patients with suspected sepsis in ambulance services: a qualitative interview study

BMC Emergency Medicine

Annelie J. Sundler¹  Magnus Andersson Hagiwara²  Henrik Andersson²  Agnes Olander²  Anders Bremer³ 

[1] University of Borås, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, Borås, Sweden;University of Borås, PreHospen, Centre for Prehospital Research, SE- 405 30, Borås, Sweden;University of Borås, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, Borås, Sweden;University of Borås, PreHospen, Centre for Prehospital Research, SE- 405 30, Borås, Sweden;University of Borås, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, Borås, Sweden;Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden;

关键词: Ambulance clinicians;    Ambulance services;    Assessment;    Interviews;    Sepsis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12873-021-00440-4

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe initial care of patients with sepsis is commonly performed by ambulance clinicians (ACs). Early identification, care and treatment are vital for patients with sepsis to avoid adverse outcomes. However, knowledge about how patients with sepsis are assessed in ambulance services (AS) by AC is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the meaning of ACs’ lived experiences in assessing patients suspected of having sepsis.MethodsA descriptive design with a qualitative approach was used. Fourteen ACs from three Swedish ambulance organizations participated in dyadic and individual semistructured interviews. A thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology was performed.ResultsAC experiences were grouped into four themes: (1) being influenced by previous experience; (2) searching for clues to the severity of the patient’s condition; (3) feeling confident when signs and symptoms were obvious; and (4) needing health-care professionals for support and consultation.ConclusionsThis study indicates that several factors are important to assessments. ACs needed to engage in an ongoing search for information, discuss the cases with colleagues and reconsider the assessment throughout the entire ambulance mission. A reflective and open stance based on professional knowledge could contribute to recognizing patients with sepsis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY