Sepsis learning tools

This education plan and the accompanying resources are designed to help staff improve their knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise and respond to sepsis early. It supports implementation of the Raise the Flag national sepsis quality improvement package.

The education plan helps hospital teams:

• check their knowledge to identify and treat sepsis early
• prepare for and implement the Raise the Flag quality improvement package that includes the national sepsis pathway
• understand how to use resources to support early recognition and treatment of sepsis
• sustain capability and improvement over time. 

Learning resources

The resources were developed by Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora in collaboration with Sepsis Trust NZ.

You can adapt the learning resources for different clinical settings. They include:

• sepsis Raise the Flag training slides
  • training slides (PPTX 1.3MB)
• sepsis staff knowledge survey (mini quiz and to rate sepsis knowledge)
  • staff survey (PDF 173KB)
  • staff  survey (DOCX 109KB)
• sepsis in-person training resources
  • in-person training  (PDF 807KB)
  • in-person training (DOCX 3MB)
• sepsis simulation checklist
  • simulation checklist (PDF 182KB)
  • simulation checklist (DOCX 53KB)
• access to national sepsis pathway(s) 
  • sepsis pathways
• sepsis online learning modules and case studies
  • HealthLearn course
  • Ko Awatea LEARN course
  • ConnectMe course

Education supporting implementation

Preparing for implementation

Before rollout begins: 

• conduct pre-implementation knowledge assessments using the sepsis staff knowledge survey

Tip: Use short in-service sessions, ward huddles, or team-based education to increase reach and engagement. Involve nurse educators, senior clinicians, and clinical champions.

During implementation

Approximately 4 to 6 weeks after implementation begins:

• repeat the staff survey and mini quiz
  • track changes in knowledge and confidence
  • identify areas where you need to reinforce learning.
• Continue clinical coaching at the bedside:
  • review real cases
  • observe sepsis pathway completion
  • provide feedback in real time.

Monitor early use of the sepsis pathway(s) as part of quality improvement data collection.

Note: Clinical champions should be available to support staff and answer questions during early adoption.

Following implementation

To embed and sustain improvements:

• integrate regular simulation exercises into ward/team routines
  • use in-person simulation scenarios and the sepsis simulation checklist
  • conduct short, structured debriefs after each session
• include sepsis training in orientation, professional development and annual updates
• monitor staff knowledge and pathway use over time
• align with local quality improvement initiatives, and morbidity and mortality reviews.

Monitoring and feedback

Self-reported knowledge and confidence surveys, along with objective knowledge checks (eg, mini-quiz), can serve as process measures for quality improvement. Trends can help guide further education and identify persistent gaps. Collect informal feedback through:

• post-simulation reflections,
• anonymous staff feedback forms, and
• team debriefs following sepsis cases.

Could this be sepsis?

Sepsis Trust New Zealand link : Sepsis Awareness NZ | Could it be Sepsis

Video link : Could it be Sepsis? Clinical Information | Dr Erik McClain

Dr Erik McClain explains how sepsis is caused, signs to watch for, and the serious effects which can include death. 

He explains that sepsis is caused by the body’s immune system responding abnormally to an infection. That the body is unable to regulate its own response to infection that leads to organ failure and death. It all starts with a simple infection!!!