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. 2021 Apr 9;21(1):45.
doi: 10.1186/s12873-021-00440-4.

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

Agnes Olander  1   2 , Anders Bremer  3   4   5 , Annelie J Sundler  4 , Magnus Andersson Hagiwara  3   4 , Henrik Andersson  3   4
Affiliations

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

Agnes Olander et al. BMC Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Background: The 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.

Methods: A 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.

Results: AC 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.

Conclusions: This 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.

Keywords: Ambulance clinicians; Ambulance services; Assessment; Interviews; Sepsis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Themes describing AC experiences of the assessment when suspecting patients with sepsis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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