Evaluating the impact of training on therapeutic radiographer awareness of the signs and symptoms of neutropenic sepsis in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

IntroductionNeutropenic sepsis is a life-threatening combination of neutropenia and infection. Patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy are at a high risk of neutropenic sepsis and thus are likely to present in a clinical setting. This study aimed to evaluate levels of Therapeutic Radiographers' understanding of sepsis signs and response pathways along with the impact of a training session on this. MethodsA teaching session at the trust was conducted by the Sepsis Lead Nurse and utilised a range of active learning techniques including scenario-based questions and a sepsis game. Pre and post-training questionnaires were completed by participants which comprised of multiple-choice questions related to sepsis identification and response. Respondents were asked to rate their confidence in each answer. This enabled scoring to award penalties for higher levels of confidence in incorrect answers and reward high confidence in correct answers. Lower levels of confidence attracted or lost smaller marks. ResultsThere was a statistically significant (p < 0.0002) improvement in questionnaire scores after the training session from 42% to 66%. Lower scores on the pre-test responses mainly related to incorrect selection of responses to scenario questions. ConclusionThis service evaluation has highlighted a lack of sepsis awareness amongst Therapeutic Radiographers. It also demonstrates that an active learning based training session can significantly improve understanding of sepsis. Implications for practiceSepsis training utilising scenario and response questions should be provided to Therapeutic Radiographers more frequently who are likely to work with patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.