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Published on: February 20, 2017
Demonstrating the effectiveness of an online, computer-based learning module for arterial blood gas analysis
Jessica Schneiderman1, Susan Corbridge, Julie Johnson Zerwic
1Freeport Health Network Memorial Hospital, Illinois, USA. jschneiderman@fhn.org
Purpose/Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness of a computer-based learning module specific to arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation.
Design:
A pretest and posttest design was used to assess staff nurses' ability to interpret ABGs before and after engaging in a computer-based module.
Setting:
Two community hospitals in northern Illinois.
Sample:
Fifty-eight staff nurses completed the online learning module and the pretest and posttest measures.
Methods:
Subjects consented to participate and completed a pretest measure of their knowledge of ABG interpretation. Subjects participated in a computer-based learning module on ABG interpretation and then completed a posttest.
Findings:
Staff nurses' knowledge increased significantly after viewing the computer-based learning module (t = 6.3; P < .001). This improvement was irrespective of experience or department.
Conclusions And Implications:
Computer-based, online learning has emerged as a means of providing continuing education to nurses. Such a teaching strategy helps to overcome barriers pertinent to traditional classroom settings.
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