Deborah Ulrich

Using cooperative learning strategies.

Nurse educators are challenged to develop innovative teaching strategies that help students think critically and interact skillfully with others. The authors present the merits of cooperative learning and describe ways that nurse educators can teach essential content using this educational strategy.

Decontamination training: with and without virtual reality simulation.

Nurses must be prepared to care for patients following a disaster, including patients exposed to hazardous contaminants. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of virtual reality simulation (VRS) to teach the disaster-specific skill of decontamination. A quasi-experimental design was used to assign nursing students from 2 baccalaureate nursing programs to 1 of 2 groups to learn the disaster skill of decontamination—printed written directions or VRS. Performance, knowledge, and self-efficacy were outcome measures. Although students in the treatment group had significantly lower performance scores than the control group (p = 0.004), students taking part in VRS completed the skill in a significantly shorter amount of time (p = 0.008). No significant group differences were found for self-efficacy (p = 0.172) or knowledge (p = 0.631). However, students in the VRS treatment group reported high levels of satisfaction with VRS as a training method. The disaster-specific skill of decontamination is a low-volume, high-risk skill that must be performed with accuracy to protect both exposed patients and providers performing decontamination. As frontline providers for casualties following a disaster event, emergency nurses must be prepared to perform this skill when needed. Preparation requires cost-effective, timely, and evidence-based educational opportunities that promote positive outcomes. Further investigation is needed to determine the benefits and long-term effects of VRS for disaster education.

Application of family nursing concepts: a cooperative strategy.

This strategy is one that might be used in other nursing courses as well. It could be used in beginning classes to learn communication skills, in leadership classes to learn delegation and supervisory skills, and as a tool to practice teaching clients. This cooperative strategy allows students to work with others and be active participants in the learning process.

A Practice Improvement Project to Reduce Cesarean Surgical Site Infection Rates

We implemented an evidence-based practice improvement project at a health care facility in the Midwestern United States to address the increasing rate of cesarean surgical site infections. Women who experienced cesarean birth were cared for using a standardized evidence-based protocol including preoperative and postoperative care and education. In addition, a team-created educational video was used by both women and their families during the postoperative period and at home after discharge. This new protocol resulted in a decrease in the rate of cesarean surgical site infections from 1.35% in 2013 to 0.7% in 2014 and 0.36% in 2015. Our interdisciplinary approach to integrate best-practice strategies resulted in decreased infection rates and improved patient satisfaction scores.

Learning and Retention Using Virtual Reality in a Decontamination Simulation.

AIMThe purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal effects of virtual reality simulation (VRS) on learning outcomes and retention. BACKGROUNDDisaster preparation for health care professionals is seriously inadequate. VRS offers an opportunity to practice within a realistic and safe environment, but little is known about learning and retention using this pedagogy. METHODA quasiexperimental design was used to examine the use of VRS with baccalaureate nursing students in two different nursing programs in terms of the skill of decontamination. RESULTSResults indicate that VRS is at least as good as traditional methods and is superior in some cases for retention of knowledge and performance of skills. CONCLUSIONVRS may provide a valuable option for promoting skill development and retention. More research is needed to determine how to prepare nurses for skills that may not be required until months or even years after initial introduction.

Reducing Infection Rates after Cesarean Birth

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program The purpose of this innovative educational program was to implement changes to reduce the rate of infection after cesarean at a Midwestern regional health care facility. From 2011 to 2013, this rate ranged from 0.62% to 1.23%. Clearly, there is an upward trend in the rate of infection that needs to be managed to decrease postoperative infections. Proposed Change To implement standardized preoperative and postoperative education for all women who have cesarean births. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation The interdisciplinary, evidence‐based practice (EBP) project involved physicians, nurses, and staff in obstetric offices and nurses and educators in the labor and delivery and postpartum units. A retrospective chart review was conducted of women who experienced infections after cesarean for 99 variables. No common variables were identified regarding etiology of postcesarean delivery infections. A review of the literature was conducted, and patient education was identified as an intervention that affected infection rates. The interdisciplinary team created standardized preoperative instructions and standardized postoperative instructions that include an educational pamphlet and DVD. The projected program outcome is a decrease in the rate of infection after cesarean at the facility. Project outcomes will be measured by tracking infection rates quarterly and yearly. Preimplementation and postimplementation outcome data will be compared. Implications for Nursing Practice It is important that nurses are educated on how to identify best practices to provide consistent education to women from the time they decide on cesarean birth to discharge. It is imperative that nurses know how to implement best practices to improve patient outcomes. Reduced rates of infection will also reduce cost and morbidity associate with cesareans.