Using Combined Tabletop and Simulation Activities to Improve Nursing Students' Attitudes About Quality Improvement: A...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Nursing students often exhibit a limited understanding of the significance of quality improvement (QI) in healthcare.
• Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) represent a critical patient safety concern in hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a hybrid educational intervention on nursing students' attitudes toward quality improvement.
• To explore how different learning modalities influence students' comprehension of factors contributing to healthcare-associated infections.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method interventional feasibility study was conducted with nursing students.
• Participants received instruction on QI processes and CLABSI factors.
• An experimental group experienced a high-fidelity simulation of a bedside report for a CLABSI-affected patient, alongside tabletop QI exercises.

Main Results:

• Both intervention groups showed equivalent improvements in attitudes toward QI.
• Students exposed to the simulation demonstrated a deeper understanding of interrelated, system-wide factors contributing to CLABSI.
• Joint debriefing highlighted the benefits of integrating simulation with traditional QI exercises.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid learning activities combining tabletop exercises and high-fidelity simulation positively influence nursing students' attitudes toward QI.
• Simulation-enhanced learning can foster a more comprehensive understanding of complex patient safety issues and system-level problem-solving.
• Educational strategies should incorporate diverse, interactive methods to improve nursing students' QI competencies.