Health workforce preparedness for sepsis care in Bahrain: a cross-sectional survey of guideline knowledge, attitudes, and practices

Sepsis and septic shock remain critical medical emergencies that require timely and effective interventions. This study evaluates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals in Bahrain concerning the management of sepsis and septic shock. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 260 healthcare professionals who consented to participate out of 310 approached, yielding a response rate of 83.9%. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire designed to ensure anonymity and consistency in responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via IBM SPSS version 29. Most participants demonstrated sound general knowledge of sepsis, with 90.7% correctly identifying broad-spectrum antibiotics as the first-line treatment. However, awareness of certain clinical tools was lower--only 44.6% recognized the qSOFA score and 60% understood the use of capillary refill time. Knowledge levels were significantly higher among males (77.4%) than females (70.6%, p = 0.043), and among those with advanced degrees (p < 0.001), especially doctorate holders (84.5%). Physicians had the highest average knowledge scores (91.0%), followed by PharmD holders (82.2%). Positive attitudes toward early sepsis recognition were reported by 82.2% of participants, particularly among those with doctoral education and over 21 years of experience. In practice, 72.7% routinely assessed for organ dysfunction, and 51.9% initiated antibiotic therapy within the first hour of diagnosis. The study identified significant gaps in diagnostic tool familiarity and clinical practice consistency. These findings underscore the importance of initiatives to enhance adherence to sepsis management protocols in Bahrain.