Using Web-based Training and Low-fidelity Simulation to Provide Education and Support to Emergency Nurses Undertaking Non-Urgent Paediatric Inter-Hospital Transfers

Abstract

BackgroundPaediatric interhospital transfers have been associated with significant clinical risk and one of the causative factors identified is insufficient educational preparation for nursing staff involved with non-urgent interfacility transfers. MethodsA single group pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate knowledge acquisition and participant perceptions of an education package (PEANUT: Paediatric Education and Assessment for Non-urgent Transfers) using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. ResultsSimulation targeting non-urgent interhospital transfer increased participant’s knowledge of transfer processes and confidence when required to undertake a transfer. A comparison of pre- to post-education learning scores detected a significant difference (p<.001), the average total score increased by 3.49 (95% CI:3.04, 3.93) points after training. ConclusionsSimulation education in paediatric non-urgent inter-hospital transfer, demonstrated an improvement in the confidence and knowledge of staff transferring children between facilities.