Authors

  1. Harrison, Katie MSN, RN, CHSE

Article Content

As nurse educators, we play an integral role in teaching nursing students about sepsis. Of the 270 000 lives lost each year to sepsis, as many as 80% of these are preventable, if detected and treated early.1 Our role and response may vary depending on the individual and area of nursing practice, but collectively, we can make a significant impact with our efforts, intentionality, and creativity regarding sepsis education. In teaching students about sepsis, conveying all of its information and complexities can be a challenge. In response to this challenge, the RETHINK LABS mnemonic was created as one way in which educators can help translate all of the essential information about sepsis to students, providing them with an engaging and easy-to-recall way to facilitate early recognition of sepsis (Supplemental Digital Content, Mnemonic, http://links.lww.com/NE/A718). The RETHINK LABS mnemonic provides a framework that promotes rich dialogue between the educator and students, as well as provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, reflect, and think critically about each letter's components. The RETHINK LABS mnemonic has flexibility when considering how to integrate this tool into sepsis education. Whether incorporating it into a PowerPoint, case study, or high-fidelity patient simulation, there is much potential for student learning and engagement and for improved patient outcomes.

 

Reference

 

1. Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis fact sheet. Available at https://www.sepsis.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Sepsis-Fact-Sheet-2018.pdf. Accessed July 17, 2019. [Context Link]