INTUITION AND SEPSIS RECOGNITION AMONG REGISTERED NURSES IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires early recognition and timely intervention. Nurses are often among the first healthcare professionals to identify subtle changes in patients’ conditions. Clinical intuition may contribute to early recognition; however, limited evidence exists regarding its relationship with sepsis recognition, particularly among nurses in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the relationship between nurses’ use of intuition and sepsis recognition, factors associated with intuition use, and perceived barriers and facilitators influencing intuition in clinical practice. A cross-sectional convergent mixed-methods design was used. Registered nurses providing direct patient care in Saudi Arabia completed an online survey assessing intuition, sepsis knowledge, sepsis recognition using five clinical vignettes, demographic and professional characteristics, and open-ended questions. The final quantitative sample included 190 nurses. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for the quantitative aims, while conventional content analysis was used to analyze qualitative responses. Intuition was not significantly associated with sepsis recognition after controlling for demographic and professional characteristics. Sex was a significant predictor of sepsis recognition. Greater registered nurse experience and higher sepsis knowledge were associated with greater use of intuition, whereas nurses working in intensive care or emergency settings reported lower intuition scores than nurses working in other clinical areas. Qualitative findings identified organizational support, professional autonomy, clinical experience, and critical thinking as facilitators of intuition. Barriers included rigid policies, limited decision-making authority, communication challenges, and dependence on physician orders. The findings suggest that intuition alone may not directly improve sepsis recognition but may reflect clinical knowledge and accumulated nursing experience. Healthcare organizations should support nurses’ clinical judgment while integrating intuition with evidence-based assessment, sepsis education, interprofessional communication, and standardized clinical decision-making processes.