Nurse Practitioner/Senior Instructor University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Hematology
BACKGROUND Advanced practice providers (APPs) who care for patients with hematologic malignancies perform bone marrow aspiration and biopsies (BMBX) to aid in the diagnosis and treatment. Bedside procedures are often taught through the observational training method which can lead to inconsistencies.
PROBLEM The purpose of this project was to create and evaluate a standardized educational curriculum incorporating simulation with a task trainer for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) APPs. The project aimed to reduce BMBX risk events, improve BMBX knowledge, and increase APP self-reported confidence.
METHODS AND INTERVENTIONS Pre- and post-program surveys were utilized for knowledge assessment of BMBX procedures, specimen allocation, and testing. Each program was delivered over three hours and included an educational PowerPoint and three breakout sessions: BMBX kit review; simulation on a task trainer; and review of BMBX specimen collection procedures. Knowledge assessment surveys were compared through descriptive and statistical analysis.
RESULTS BMBX specific risk events decreased from 1.92 events per month pre-implementation to 1.2 event per month post-implementation. Overall BMBX knowledge increased from 41.02% on pre-program surveys to 65.72% on post-program surveys. Additionally, participant self-reported confidence improved by a mean difference of -1.85 based on 5-point Likert scale. t(12) = -1.85, p = < 0.0001, 95% CI [-2.49, -1.2].
IMPLICATIONS This single institution program evaluation project suggests that the use of simulation with task trainers is beneficial when paired with standardized educational curriculum. Simulation training for APPs who perform BMBXs can improve procedural knowledge, increase self-reported confidence, and may reduce risk reporting.
