Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Mary Ramirez

Abstract

The adult and pediatric healthcare providers at a New England medical center attended simulation training for responding to cardiac arrests that incorporated the current American Heart Association (AHA) evidence-based standards. The purpose of this concurrent mixed method program evaluation was to compare the adult code blue and pediatric team training programs to the AHA's standards and identify if the staff learned the necessary skills to care for patients in cardiac arrest. The conceptual models used for the study were Crisis Resource Management and the transfer of learning model. The study sample was 660 adult and 269 pediatric healthcare providers who participated in both programs between 2012 and 2015. The research questions explored how the adult and pediatric programs compared, if they provided staff with necessary skills to care for cardiac arrests using current standards, and the staff perceptions of program effectiveness and barriers encountered. The data were collected using evaluation and observation forms and needs-assessment surveys. A chi square analysis identified differences between the programs on staff preparedness and transfer of knowledge into practice. The coding of the qualitative data identified themes from the participants' perceptions on program design. Results prompted a program and curriculum redesign to include multiple opportunities to allow staff to learn and practice skills for low volume high acuity situations. The study promotes social change by giving healthcare providers opportunities to translate evidence-based training into clinical practice. The ability to function effectively as a team in a crisis improves patient outcome and potentially reduces mortality and morbidity within the institution and community. Simulation education also improves staff confidence in performance of low volume and high acuity situations.

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