Knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceived barriers of emergency health care providers regarding sepsis and septic shock in a tertiary care centre: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers of emergency healthcare providers regarding the management of sepsis and septic shock. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Emergency Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from August to October 2017. A total of 53 healthcare providers participated in the study. Overall, 42(79%) of the participants demonstrated correct knowledge of the sepsis bundle. The most common barrier reported in the compliance of the sepsis bundle was a shortage of staff (62%), followed by delayed presentation of patients (58%) and overcrowding (42%). Furthermore, better staffing was perceived by the participants (60%) to improve the care of septic patients, followed by sepsis awareness sessions (23%) and reduction in ED crowding (11%). Staff shortage, delayed presentation of patients, and ED overcrowding were considered the most common barriers in the management of sepsis in this setting.