Abstract
Introduction: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in hospitals to treat acute respiratory failure. During undergraduate training, there is little emphasis on the practical aspects of NIV. This simulation training day raised awareness of current NIV protocol and increasing confidence when making clinical decisions.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the NIV simulation training days across a range of healthcare professionals.
Methods: NIV simulation days were designed and conducted for ward nurses, critical care staff and junior doctors, involving problem based learning-style stations, real life scenarios and troubleshooting NIV. Questionnaires before and after training were focused on NIV definition, interfaces, indications, monitoring, weaning and escalation decisions. Answers were classified as complete, partially completed and incorrect.
Results: Two training days were held, and included 29 healthcare professionals. Analysis of completed questionnaires indicated an improvement in knowledge on 90% of questions with complete responses increasing by 82%.
Overall, the number of completed questions increased from 28% to 51% after the session, while, partially complete answers reduced from 61 to 47% and incorrect answers from 11 to 2%.
The highest scoring question related to NIV definition and the lowest related to pressure support. The knowledge of all three professional groups increased as a direct result of the simulation training by over 30%.
Conclusions: NIV simulation training days in a simulation centre setting are an effective tool, which can be used to enhance the knowledge and understanding of NIV regardless of baseline knowledge or professional group.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
