Nurse Influence in Meeting Compliance With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Measure: Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock (SEP-1)

Abstract

Increased mortality has been identified as the sepsis cascade progresses from sepsis to severe sepsis to septic shock. Estimates reflect sepsis death rates ranging from 10% to 20%, severe sepsis death rates of 20% to 50%, and septic shock fatality rates of 40% to 80%. The high rates of morbidity, mortality, and Medicare costs prompted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement bundled care and public reporting of the Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock (SEP-1) quality measure in 2015. Sepsis care bundles were identified to be beneficial since the 1990s as the bundle facilitates efficient, effective, and timely delivery of care to support quality improvement. The SEP-1 measure can be challenging and requires the nurse's active participation. Nurses need increased knowledge of the sepsis cascade and treatments as defined in the SEP-1 quality measure. Increased knowledge and application of bundle elements are lifesaving and can influence postdischarge outcomes. This article discusses the nurse's role in meeting the specific elements of each bundle and strategies to improve bundle compliance.