The response readiness tool: An instrument to measure knowledge, skills, and attitude after taking a stop the Bleed® course.

Abstract

Stop the Bleed® is an emergency response course that offers a certificate of completion but no ending assessment. The purpose of this educational study was to develop and test the Response Readiness Tool (RRT) that measures learning of participants after taking Stop the Bleed®. The study used a pre-/post-test design to measure knowledge and attitudes, and a post-test only for skills. Participants were recruited from existing Stop the Bleed® courses. Knowledge was measured with a 10-item questionnaire, attitude was measured with five Likert-style questions, and skills were measured by observing simulated tourniquet placement. Ninety-five participants were recruited over two semesters. There was a significant difference in the knowledge and attitude scores indicating participants' improvement in learning and attitude toward responding. Internal consistency reliability of scores showed moderate reliability with Cronbach's Alpha of 0.73 and McDonald's Omega of 0.75. A positive correlation was found between expected proficiency and pre-test indicating the tool had construct validity. RRT provides Stop the Bleed® instructors with an instrument to measure knowledge, skills, and attitude of participants after taking Stop the Bleed®. Statistics show moderate reliability and validity; however, larger samples are needed for full psychometric testing. This publication presents the revised tool after the completion of this study.