Skip to main content

'It's Not an Overnight Piece': How This CNO Implemented a Sepsis Protocol in the ED

Analysis  |  By G Hatfield  
   July 04, 2025

Nurses play a critical role in preventing sepsis, through early detection, infection control, and patient education, and CNOs must be prepared.

HealthLeaders spoke to Nicole Telhiard, chief nursing officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health, about the health system's new nurse-led sepsis protocol in the emergency department. Tune in to hear her insights.

G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

The biggest pain point that this new sepsis protocol aims to address is unnecessary testing.

The protocol saves the nurses time and helps them refocus on other patients in the ED, and the ones who definitely have sepsis and need treatment.

For other CNOs who want to implement a similar strategy, be sure to include frontline staff and work with multidisciplinary teams.


Get the latest on healthcare leadership in your inbox.