Emergency clinicians' use of adult and paediatric sepsis pathways: An implementation redesign using the behaviour change wheel

To identify facilitators and barriers and tailor implementation strategies to optimize emergency clinician's use of adult and paediatric sepsis pathways. A qualitative descriptive study using focus group methodology. Twenty-two emergency nurses and ten emergency medical officers from four Australian EDs participated in eight virtual focus groups. Participants were asked about their experiences using the New South Wales Clinical Excellence Commission adult and paediatric sepsis pathways using a semi-structured interview template. Facilitators and barriers to use of the sepsis pathways were categorized using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Tailored interventions were selected to address facilitators and barriers, and a re-implementation plan was devised guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel. Thirty-two facilitators and 58 barriers were identified corresponding to 11 Theoretical Domains Framework domains. Tailored strategies were selected to optimize emergency clinicians' use of the sepsis pathways including refinement of existing education and training programmes, modifications to the electronic medical record system, introduction of an audit and feedback system, staffing strategies and additional resources. The implementation of sepsis pathways in the Emergency Department setting is complex, impacted by a multitude of factors requiring tailored strategies to address facilitators and barriers and optimize uptake. This study presents a theory-informed systematic approach to successfully implement and embed adult and paediatric sepsis pathways into clinical practice in the Emergency Department. Optimizing uptake of sepsis pathways has the potential to improve sepsis recognition and management, subsequently improving the outcome of patients with sepsis. The Consolidated Criteria for REporting Qualitative research guided the preparation of this report. Nil.