Elizabeth K Hewett1,2, Joshua Nagler1, Michael C Monuteaux1, Michele Morin3, Mary Devine4, Michelle Carestia4, Sarita Chung1. 1. Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children's Hospital Boston MA. 2. Division of Emergency Medicine Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Pittsburgh PA. 3. Department of Nursing Boston Children's Hospital Boston MA. 4. Department of Emergency Management Boston Children's Hospital Boston MA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Emergency department (ED) providers require competency in responding to hazardous materials (HAZMAT) events. The optimal strategies to teach HAZMAT response principles to ED providers and to ensure skill retention are not known. Our aim was to design, implement, and evaluate a multifaceted, interprofessional educational curriculum for pediatric ED staff to improve their skills, knowledge, and confidence in responding to a HAZMAT event. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, we created and assessed a 3-hour educational curriculum comprised of didactics, skills stations, a tabletop exercise, and a simulated multivictim disaster. Learning objectives included critical aspects of pediatric HAZMAT incident response with an emphasis on donning personal protective equipment (PPE). The primary outcome was the number of HAZMAT PPE donning steps correctly completed within 10 minutes at pre- and postcurriculum assessments measured using a 32-item checklist. Secondary outcomes included skill retention at 3 months, change in knowledge assessed using multiple-choice questions, and change in participant confidence. RESULTS: Eighty-one of 84 participants (96%) completed the entire curriculum. Compared to the precurriculum assessment, participants completed more donning steps correctly after the intervention (mean increase = 58%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 48%-70%). Relative to the baseline, more steps were also correctly completed at 3 months (mean increase = 49%, 95% CI = 38%-61%). Performance on multiple-choice knowledge questions and confidence in skills also significantly increased from the pre- to postcurriculum assessments. CONCLUSIONS: A newly developed HAZMAT educational curriculum improved skills-based performance, knowledge, and confidence in PPE and decontamination skills. Brief, multifaceted educational interventions for ED staff can effectively develop sustainable skills needed for uncommon emergency events.
OBJECTIVE: Emergency department (ED) providers require competency in responding to hazardous materials (HAZMAT) events. The optimal strategies to teach HAZMAT response principles to ED providers and to ensure skill retention are not known. Our aim was to design, implement, and evaluate a multifaceted, interprofessional educational curriculum for pediatric ED staff to improve their skills, knowledge, and confidence in responding to a HAZMAT event. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, we created and assessed a 3-hour educational curriculum comprised of didactics, skills stations, a tabletop exercise, and a simulated multivictim disaster. Learning objectives included critical aspects of pediatric HAZMAT incident response with an emphasis on donning personal protective equipment (PPE). The primary outcome was the number of HAZMAT PPE donning steps correctly completed within 10 minutes at pre- and postcurriculum assessments measured using a 32-item checklist. Secondary outcomes included skill retention at 3 months, change in knowledge assessed using multiple-choice questions, and change in participant confidence. RESULTS: Eighty-one of 84 participants (96%) completed the entire curriculum. Compared to the precurriculum assessment, participants completed more donning steps correctly after the intervention (mean increase = 58%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 48%-70%). Relative to the baseline, more steps were also correctly completed at 3 months (mean increase = 49%, 95% CI = 38%-61%). Performance on multiple-choice knowledge questions and confidence in skills also significantly increased from the pre- to postcurriculum assessments. CONCLUSIONS: A newly developed HAZMAT educational curriculum improved skills-based performance, knowledge, and confidence in PPE and decontamination skills. Brief, multifaceted educational interventions for ED staff can effectively develop sustainable skills needed for uncommon emergency events.
Authors: T Okumura; T Hisaoka; A Yamada; T Naito; H Isonuma; S Okumura; K Miura; M Sakurada; H Maekawa; S Ishimatsu; N Takasu; K Suzuki Journal: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol Date: 2005-09-01 Impact factor: 4.219
Authors: Mark X Cicero; Marc A Auerbach; Jason Zigmont; Antonio Riera; Kevin Ching; Carl R Baum Journal: Prehosp Disaster Med Date: 2012-06-13 Impact factor: 2.040
Authors: Elizabeth K Hewett; Joshua Nagler; Michael C Monuteaux; Michele Morin; Mary Devine; Michelle Carestia; Sarita Chung Journal: AEM Educ Train Date: 2017-12-26
Authors: Edbert B Hsu; Tamara L Thomas; Eric B Bass; Dianne Whyne; Gabor D Kelen; Gary B Green Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2006-03-20 Impact factor: 2.463
Authors: Elizabeth K Hewett; Joshua Nagler; Michael C Monuteaux; Michele Morin; Mary Devine; Michelle Carestia; Sarita Chung Journal: AEM Educ Train Date: 2017-12-26