Electronic Charting During Simulation: A Descriptive Study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health Professions Education
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Informatics is a crucial nursing competency, requiring proficiency in using technology for clinical decision-making.
• Traditional clinical experiences often restrict nursing students' access to electronic health records (EHRs).
• Simulation-based learning offers an alternative, but EHR integration within these experiences is not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how nursing programs incorporate electronic health record (EHR) platforms within simulation-based learning experiences.
• To identify the extent and methods of EHR utilization in classroom, skills laboratory, or simulation laboratory settings.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey design was employed.
• Nursing programs were surveyed regarding their use of EHRs in simulation-based learning.

Main Results:

• 56.2% of surveyed nursing programs utilize EHRs within simulation settings (classroom, skills lab, or simulation lab).
• EHR integration in simulation is increasing, enabling students to document, gather, and appraise patient data.
• This practice supports meaningful use of data to inform patient care decisions.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based learning is an effective strategy for integrating EHRs into nursing education.
• Increased EHR use in simulations prepares students for clinical practice and enhances their informatics skills.
• This approach promotes clinical readiness and data-driven patient care.