Clinical emergencies in inpatient hospice: simulation-based training to improve nursing confidence

This study aims to assess whether a simulation-based training programme focusing on palliative care emergencies conducted in a hospice setting could improve the self-reported confidence and competence of nursing staff.

A training programme was developed to enable nursing professionals to practice clinical skills necessary for recognising and managing palliative care emergencies including opioid induced respiratory depression, catastrophic haemorrhage, anaphylaxis, seizure and acute airway obstruction. Eight sessions were conducted. A prequestionnaire and postquestionnaire design was employed to collect data. Participants self-reported their confidence and perceived competence in responding to the relevant scenario before and immediately after simulation training and provided free text feedback. Paired t-tests were applied to assess for a change in competence and confidence scores, while free text responses were analysed thematically.

Findings demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the mean scores for both confidence and competence when comparing pretraining and post-training. Participants valued the opportunity to develop emergency response skills and recognised the value of simulation as an educational tool. Debrief was perceived to be important for maximising learning and facilitating self-reflection.

Participation in simulation-based training focused on palliative care emergencies in a hospice setting improved both confidence and perceived competence of nursing professionals.