Abstract
Purpose: To determine if the modification of a sepsis screening tool using a combined SIRS, MEWS, and NEWS criteria improves the recognition of sepsis.|Background: As recognized leaders in healthcare, utilizing the critical thinking skills of registered nurses (RNs) working at the bedside is paramount. Providing RNs with the screening tools and protocols necessary to improve patient outcomes is a key component to improving healthcare quality.|Methods: Medical-surgical, telemetry, and progressive care units at an academic medical center in the Midwest were examined using a quasi-experimental, comparative descriptive design.|Results: By including MEWS and NEWS criteria in addition to existing SIRS criteria, one sepsis screening tool gained specificity, while the other lost sensitivity. Modifications of screening tool one captured about 18% more correct classifications of sepsis (OR .82, 95% CI [.68, .98]), while modifications of screening tool two captured about three times more correct alerts (OR .29, 95% CI [.24, .35]).|Implications: The updated criteria showed remarkable improvement towards catching sepsis but continued to have high rates of falsely firing. Shareholders within the health system requested additional modifications prior to making a decision regarding full implementation.