Student Education Through Simulation and Learning Modules for Quantifying Blood Loss in Postpartum Hemorrhage

Abstract

This project’s purpose was to evaluate learning through a strategy to educate nursing students how to recognize postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), quantify blood loss, and care for patients who experience PPH. Teach junior-level, undergraduate nursing students how to recognize PPH, quantify blood loss, and care for patients with PPH in the hospital. Students’ scores from pre- and posttests were used to evaluate their ability to recognize PPH, quantify blood loss, and care for postpartum patients with PPH. After the pretest, students listen to a didactic presentation that focuses on how to recognize PPH, quantify blood loss, and care for PPH patients in the hospital. After a didactic lecture that is supported with online videos, students in small groups rotate through three stations to simulate (a) assessment of skills in recognizing PPH, (b) review process for quantifying blood loss, with hands-on practice using equipment and the PPH cart; and (c) practice skills through a PPH-simulation scenario. Students learn how to quantify blood loss in the event of PPH and gain confidence in their skills in caring for patients experiencing PPH in the hospital. All participating nursing students receive a pretest and posttest to measure baseline and postintervention knowledge, specifically their ability to recognize PPH, quantify blood loss, and care for patients with PPH. Mean scores are calculated and a paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test completed to determine whether there is a significant change in students’ ability to quantify blood loss. For the evaluation of accuracy of quantification of blood loss with PPH, the difference between the scale reading (gold standard) and students’ visual estimate is calculated. A smaller difference means a more precise estimate. The calculated accuracy of blood loss is compared pre- and postintervention by using a paired student t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate, to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program.