Table 2 Descriptive Statistic for sepsis knowledge and the ability to recognize sepsis as an emergency
Solved correctly by n (%) participants | Sumscore Mean ± SD | Meanscore (% correctly solved items) Mean ± SD | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sepsis knowledge (36 items) | 15.88 ± 7.25 | 44.1 ± 20.1 | |
Definition & Epidemiology (12 items) | 5.60 ± 2.70 | 46.7 ± 22.5 | |
Please decide whether the following statements regarding sepsis are true! | |||
Sepsis is a serious allergic reaction. (F) | 336 (45.4) | ||
Sepsis is primarily caused by killer germs in the hospital. (F) | 427 (57.7) | ||
Sepsis is a serious defensive reaction of the body to an infection. (T) | 562 (75.9) | ||
Sepsis can be caused by pneumonia. (T) | 187 (25.3) | ||
Sepsis can be caused by influenza. (T) | 132 (17.8) | ||
Sepsis can be caused by COVID-19. (T) | 150 (20.3) | ||
Sepsis can be caused by the spread of pathogens in the bloodstream. (T) | 650 (87.8) | ||
Breast cancer is more common than sepsis. (F) | 144 (19.5) | ||
More people die from heart attacks than from sepsis. (T) | 75 (10.1) | ||
Sepsis leads to failure of vital organs, which is why sepsis patients are often treated in the intensive care unit. (T) | 555 (75.0) | ||
Long-lasting sequelae such as chronic fatigue, kidney failure or pain are common after sepsis. (T) | 311 (42.0) | ||
Without immediate medical treatment, the risk of dying from sepsis increases. (T) | 617 (83.4) | ||
General prevention (3 items) | 1.93 ± 0.90 | 64.3 ± 29.8 | |
Please decide whether the following statements regarding sepsis are true! | |||
Some of the most common infections that cause sepsis can be prevented by vaccination. (T) | 228 (30.8) | ||
Some types of sepsis can be prevented by wound and hand hygiene. (T) | 564 (76.2) | ||
Timely response to an infection can prevent it from developing into sepsis. (T) | 634 (85.7) | ||
Symptoms (7 items) | 3.51 ± 2.08 | 50.1 ± 29.7 | |
Which of the following features increase the risk of developing sepsis? | |||
High heart rate (T) | 441 (59.6) | ||
Weakness in one arm or leg (F) | 185 (25.0) | ||
Confusion or disorientation (T) | 358 (48.4) | ||
Fever, shivering, or severe chills (T) | 573 (77.4) | ||
Shortness of breath (T) | 268 (36.2) | ||
Chest pain radiating to the left arm or shoulder (F) | 301 (40.7) | ||
Extreme pain or extreme discomfort (T) | 471 (63.6) | ||
Risk factors (7 items) | 3.10 ± 1.71 | 44.3 ± 24.5 | |
Which of the following are common warning signs of sepsis? | |||
Age 65 years or older (T) | 346 (46.8) | ||
Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels) (F) | 178 (24.1) | ||
Smoking (T) | 205 (27.7) | ||
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung diseases, cancer, kidney diseases (T) | 457 (61.8) | ||
Weakened immune system (T) | 590 (79.7) | ||
Veganism (pure vegetable diet) (F) | 380 (51.4) | ||
Age younger than one year in children (T) | 136 (18.4) | ||
Sepsis-specific Vaccination (7 items) | 1.74 ± 2.05 | 24.9 ± 29.3 | |
Do the following vaccinations protect against sepsis or reduce the risk of severe sepsis? | |||
Vaccination against human papillomaviruses (viruses that can cause benign and malignant tumours). (F) | 252 (34.1) | ||
Vaccination against influenza viruses (T) | 146 (19.7) | ||
Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae B (bacteria that can cause meningitis or pneumonia) (T) | 215 (29.1) | ||
Vaccination against pneumococcus (bacteria that can cause pneumonia, for example) (T) | 207 (28.0) | ||
Vaccination against meningococci (bacteria which can cause, e.g. meningitis) (T) | 180 (24.3) | ||
Vaccination against borreliosis (bacteria transmitted by ticks) (F) | 132 (17.8) | ||
Vaccination against the Corona virus (Covid-19) (T) | 158 (21.4) | ||
Ability to recognize sepsis as an emergency (overall)b | 1.33 ± 1.27 | 26.6 ± 25.5 | |
What would you do in the following situations or what should your loved ones do for you? | |||
I have the flu, feel increasingly worse and have very difficulty breathing (shortness of breath) | 107 (14.5) | ||
The pain in the kidney area is so severe that I can hardly move. In addition, I have chills and a burning sensation when urinating | 207 (28.0) | ||
Yesterday, I cut myself with a knife. Today, the wound looks red and inflamed. I feel very sick, weak, and can hardly leave the bed | 168 (22.7) | ||
I have had a cough and fever for two days. Since today, I am confused and can no longer orient myself in my own living environment | 368 (49.7) | ||
Sometime after a cat bite in the garden, I feel intense pain, am feverish, and have chills | 132 (17.8) | ||