Most patients with an increased risk for sepsis-related morbidity or death do not recognize sepsis as a medical emergency: results of a survey study using case vignettes
Authors' conclusion
Risk groups showed low levels of knowledge regarding the preventive importance of vaccination and a low ability to recognize sepsis as a medical emergency.
Study context
- Population
- Persons in Germany at increased risk for sepsis, stratified by age (< 60 years, ≥ 60 years), chronic diseases and region
- Participants
- 740 persons
- Outcome
- Sepsis knowledge (36 items) and ability to recognize sepsis as an emergency (5 case vignettes)
Methodological detailssurvey, case vignettes, stratified sample, Standardized questionnaires administered by a market research institute online, by telephone or face-to-face
- Survey
- Case vignettes
- Stratified sample
- Standardized questionnaires administered by a market research institute online, by telephone or face-to-face
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Sepsis knowledge, % of 36 items answered correctly (mean; SD 20.1)
44.1%
Knew sepsis is a defensive host response to infection
75.9%
Knew vaccination can prevent infections that lead to sepsis
30.8%
Vignettes (of 5) identified as sepsis emergency, mean (SD = 1.27)
1.33
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of sepsis knowledge (multiple linear regression)
- Higher knowledge among older, female, more highly educated participants and those with more extensive health information seeking
Predictors of ability to recognize sepsis as an emergency (multiple linear regression)
- Higher among younger participants, those without chronic diseases and with higher health literacy; not significantly associated with sepsis knowledge
Original publication
Most patients with an increased risk for sepsis-related morbidity or death do not recognize sepsis as a medical emergency: results of a survey study using case vignettes. Crit Care. Published 17 November 2023. doi:10.
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