Validation of an Immersive Virtual Reality Based Experiential Learning Simulator to Improve Medication Administration Safety Skills of Registered Nurses

项目总结

PROJECT SUMMARY In 2019, the normalization, anticipation, and preparation for seasonal flu routinely occurring from October to December radically changed with the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the subsequent announcement by the World Health Organization of the novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic in March of 2020. Total cases of COVID-19 in the United States has grown to over 4 million. Research and data continue to emerge as to how COVID-19 is severely impacting infection control safety and testing practices among frontline healthcare professionals. These frontline healthcare professionals are practicing in acute and chronic healthcare facilities, working within emergency response systems, and preparing pre-licensure students within academic healthcare programs of study. In 2014, the Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and The Joint Commission recognized the urgency to reduce healthcare-associated infections. The original compendium of protocols remains as a 2020 Hospital National Patient Safety goal, and infection control guidelines have been updated to reflect changes in precaution measures necessitated by COVID-19. Previous educational training with lectures, cues, checklists; audits; observation with feedback; and implementation of infection control programs have sought to improve protocol compliance and knowledge on proper fit and use of personal protective equipment. However, these educational modalities and just-in-time training sessions have not been sustainable in improving practice behaviors. Additionally, these modalities do not realistically portray the use standard and transmission-based precautions urgently needed at this time, especially when this education is central to providing direct patient care such as administering medication administrations, obtaining sterile nasal specimens necessary to diagnose COVID-19, and completing bedside procedures. Currently, an increased prevalence of frontline healthcare professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 is alarming. Emerging literature describes how recycled or new forms, correct selection, donning-doffing, and acceptance of personal protective equipment are focal points for research. Moreover, the fear of this disease and significantly increased mental stress related to the potential for self-infection exists. An effective training program with cognitive and deliberate practice components to reinforce best infection control and transmission-based behaviors is a necessity identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We propose to develop an immersive virtual reality simulator to train healthcare professionals to protect themselves when providing care to patients with COVID-19. This is significant because knowledge and skills on standard and transmission-based infection control practices can directly impact the spread and acquisition of this highly infectious disease among all healthcare professionals and can impact patient care outcomes. We propose two specific aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the simulator. In aim 1, we will develop the simulator with capabilities to simulate all aspects of donning/doffing personal protective equipment. In aim 2, we will conduct face, content, and construct validation studies. Once the simulator is developed, it will be brought to market quickly to help the frontline workers currently caring for COVID-19 patients.