Impact of education and training course for ECMO patients based on high-fidelity simulation: a pilot study dedicated to ICU nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Medical and para-medical education is one of the key points of healthcare strategy. Training and education based on high-fidelity simulation is one of the gold standards in modern healthcare institutions. We describe a model of training dedicated to ICU nurses in charge of patients with ECMO. The aim of our educational tool was to teach ICU nurses ECMO basic knowledge and skills. Methods: An ECMO Specialist Course Committee implemented the training programme. It was on two consecutive days and consisted of theoretical, practical and high-fidelity, simulation-based teaching. A content expert implemented each scenario and learning objectives were defined. Participants were assessed pre- and post-test (Group 1 and Group 2). Results: In two years, seven sessions took place and 40 volunteers were enrolled. High-fidelity, simulation-based teaching consisted of seven scenarios. There was a significant improvement in mean score between pre- and post-test. Moreover, we noticed that the basic level (pre-test) of participants was improving over the time. The mean pre-test scores of Group 2 were significantly higher than Group1. Conclusion: The implementation of education and training course for ICU nurses in charge of patients on ECMO is feasible and reliable. It improves nurse personal levels, but also shares in improving the global level of the team to which they belong.