St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust / Whiston Hospital
Background: Simulation -based learning is well known as an effective tool to improve medical team response to a critically ill patient. However, there are many challenges to conduct simulation in the clinical environment.
Objectives: The primary aim is to identify the effect of a structured & curriculum-based simulation- training on staff attitude and knowledge. The secondary objective is to describe staff perception to the simulation activity and to use all the gathered information to improve future performance as a part of an ongoing model of improvement adopting PDCA approach.
Method: after previous simulation activities were identified, a simulation -based curriculum was developed around sepsis in pediatrics. All the staff initially completed an e-Learning module. Five full days simulation sessions were offered in a simulation lab using high fidelity simulator and structured simulation scenario followed by a focused debriefing session.
All the participants filled a pre and post simulation survey measuring the difference in staff perception of their level of confidence, competency and knowledge regarding sepsis management in pediatrics. Pre(N=50) and post(N=50) simulation data were compared using Wilcoxon signed ranked test.
Result: 50 members of the staff participated in the simulation (80% nurses). The simulation significantly improved staff perception to their confidence and level of competency in managing sepsis (p value <0.001). Knowledge test scores were also significantly better post simulation (p Value 0.001)
Conclusion: Simulation experience improved staff readiness to manage sepsis. Implementation of a structured and curriculum- based simulation can be used effectively as a quality improvement tool.
