RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: First responders play a crucial role in caring for patients with sepsis, as they are often first on the scene in emergency medical situations. Many first responders lack the advanced knowledge and skill set needed to identify patients with sepsis or those at risk for sepsis. METHODS: This mixed-methods study examined if the implementation of a sepsis education program would impact and reduce the knowledge gap in first responders' ability to identify patients at risk for sepsis. Two hundred and thirteen first responders participated in an online sepsis education program, during which their knowledge was evaluated using a pretest and posttest. RESULTS: The difference in the mean of the preeducation test scores and the posteducation test scores' mean was significantly different. The mean of the pretest scores was lower than the mean of the posttest scores, thus suggesting that the education of first responders is effective in increasing their knowledge of sepsis. After completing the program, participants felt better prepared to encounter instances of sepsis. CONCLUSION: standardizing communication between first responders and the emergency room through a "Sepsis Alert" can improve treatment times and allow for more timely intervention.
Asunto(s)
Servicios Médicos de Urgencia , Socorristas , Sepsis , Competencia Clínica , Socorristas/educación , Humanos , Sepsis/diagnósticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: More than 130 Americans die from opioid overdose each day. To address the opioid epidemic, opioid treatment programs are in place to treat substance use disorder. These programs have seen an influx of patients and are not able to accommodate the number of patients. Primary care practices can help with the crisis by providing an office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) program. OBJECTIVE: To describe the necessary steps and considerations to put in place for implementing a telehealth OBOT program. Establishing a telehealth program for patients controlled on medication-assisted treatment can improve access to care, improve patient compliance, and redirect the workflow of the family practice. METHODOS: After a literature review of established OBOT programs, state and federal laws, Medicare and reimbursement policies, a telehealth opioid treatment program was designed for private primary care practice. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care practices can should implement an office based opioid treatment program via telehealth to improve workflow and accessibility to care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: To offer improved access to care for patients with opioid addiction and seamless workflow in the office-based setting, primary care practices should consider establishing their telehealth OBOT program based on the following recommendations.