Hit or Miss? A Review of Early-Onset Sepsis in the Neonate.

For the bedside nurse identifying at-risk neonates for development of early-onset sepsis is a challenge. The ambiguity of clinical presentation can easily be overlooked, resulting in delayed treatment of this vulnerable population. Adding to this dilemma is inconsistent implementation of screening criteria used by health providers to identify at-risk neonates, resulting in lost opportunities of early identification and treatment. This article discusses the current approach to and the nurse's role in early-onset sepsis.