Sepsis Screening Protocol Checklist

Comprehensive sepsis screening protocol for early recognition and treatment including SIRS criteria assessment and sepsis bundle implementation.

  • Industry: Healthcare
  • Frequency: Per screening/Ongoing
  • Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Role: Nurse/Physician
  • Total Items: 32
  • Compliance: Surviving Sepsis Campaign, CMS SEP-1 Measure, Joint Commission Standards

Infection Suspected

Infection assessment

  • Infection suspected or documented?
  • Suspected source identified?

SIRS Criteria

Systemic inflammatory response

  • Temperature >38°C or <36°C?
  • Heart rate >90?
  • Respiratory rate >20 or PaCO2 <32?
  • WBC >12K or <4K or >10% bands?

Organ Dysfunction

End-organ damage

  • Hypotension (SBP <90 or MAP <65)?
  • Lactate elevated?
  • Acute mental status change?
  • Urine output <0.5 mL/kg/hr?

Sepsis Bundle (if positive screen)

3-hour bundle

  • Lactate level measured?
  • Blood cultures obtained before antibiotics?
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics given within 3 hours?
  • 30 mL/kg crystalloid for hypotension/lactate ≥4?

Pre-Assessment Information

Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification

  • Assessor Name / Credentials
  • Assessment Date
  • Department / Unit
  • Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
  • Previous assessment findings reviewed?

Infection Prevention & Control

Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards

  • Hand hygiene compliance observed?
  • Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
  • Isolation precautions properly implemented?
  • Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
  • High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?

Patient Safety & Identification

Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures

  • Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
  • Fall risk assessment completed?
  • Call light within patient reach?
  • Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?

Medication Safety & Management

Verify medication handling and administration practices

  • Medications stored securely and at proper temperature?
  • Controlled substances properly secured and counted?
  • No expired medications in stock?
  • High-alert medications properly labeled?

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Why Use This Sepsis Screening Protocol Checklist?

This sepsis screening protocol checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for nurse/physician professionals, this checklist covers 32 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: per screening/ongoing.

Ensures compliance with Surviving Sepsis Campaign, CMS SEP-1 Measure, Joint Commission Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Sepsis Screening Protocol Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 32 inspection items across 8 sections: Infection Suspected, SIRS Criteria, Organ Dysfunction, Sepsis Bundle (if positive screen), Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification, Medication Safety & Management. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per screening/ongoing. Each completion takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

Who should use this Sepsis Screening Protocol Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Nurse/Physician professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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