A nursing case experience using Levine's conservation model to provide sepsis care

Abstract

Sepsis is a systemic inflammation caused by severe infection. It is a condition that is life-threatening, progresses rapidly, and affects multiple system functions. An evidence-based medical sepsis bundles model has been used for sepsis care in clinic practice. Therefore, a holistic nursing care protocol for patients with sepsis is needed to improve medical outcomes. This case study describes a nursing experience using Levine's Conservation Model to care for a patient with sepsis. Data were collected using physical assessment, medical chart reviews, written communications with the patient, interviews patient family members, and observing the patient during intensive care hospitalization from June 10th, 2011 through July 5th, 2011. Levin's Conservation Model, used as the nursing guideline, successfully identified patient issues including failure to conserve energy, structural, personal and social integrity. Interventions included: (1) sepsis bundles and early goal directed therapy to reduce patient energy expenditure; (2) prevention of infection to maintain structural function; and (3) enhancement of self-esteem, privacy, family cohesion, and social activities to maintaining personal and social integrity functions. The interventions helped the case adapt successfully to the sepsis-related imbalance. This case report provides a valuable nursing care experience as a reference for similar sepsis cases in the future.