Setting the Stage: Innovation in Port Access Education for Pediatric Emergency Nurses

Pediatric port access can be challenging in the emergency department; however, it must be performed promptly and safely. Port education for nurses traditionally includes procedural practice on adult-size, tabletop manikins, which lacks the situational and emotional aspects inherent in pediatrics. The purpose of this foundational study was to describe the knowledge and self-efficacy gain from a simulation curriculum that promotes effective situational dialogue and sterile port access technique, while incorporating a wearable port trainer to enhance simulation fidelity.

An educational intervention impact study was conducted using a curriculum integrating a comprehensive didactic session with simulation. A unique element included a novel port trainer worn by a standardized patient, along with a second actor portraying a distressed parent at the bedside. Participants completed precourse and postcourse surveys on the day of simulation and a 3-month follow-up survey. Sessions were video recorded for review and content analysis.

Thirty-four pediatric emergency nurses participated in the program and demonstrated an overall increase in knowledge and self-efficacy with port access that was sustained at the 3-month follow-up. Data revealed positive feedback regarding the participants' simulation experience.

Effective port access education for nurses requires a comprehensive curriculum integrating procedural aspects and situational techniques to address the components of a true port access experience involving pediatric patients and families. Our curriculum successfully combined skill-based practice with situational management, and promoted nursing self-efficacy and competence with port access in the pediatric population.