New Mexico — Targeted Issue

Description

Primarily targeting prehospital EMS personnel, this online training program includes nine modules: pediatric seizures, diabetes, blunt chest trauma, methamphetamine, child abuse/Down Syndrome, technological dependent, Shaken Baby Syndrome, poisoning/toxic exposure, and adrenal crisis and EMS.

Description

Primarily targeting school nurses, this online training program includes 12 modules: emergency preparedness, EMS continuim of care, school emergency preparedness, assessment and triage, airway management, emergency care of the spine, musculoskeletal emergency care, assessment, and two scenario-based modules.

Author(s)/Presenter(s)

Elgie R, Sapien R, Fullerton L, Moore B

Abstract/Description

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted emergency preparedness course for school nurses. Participants from a convenience sample (52) of school nurses from New Mexico were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups in an experimental after-only posttest design. Intervention group participants completed 15 online emergency preparedness training modules followed by posttests, and control group participants completed the posttests without taking the training modules. Tests measured emergency preparedness with written exams, confidence surveys, and skills performance in videotaped scenarios; the videotaped scenarios were scored by Pediatric Emergency Medicine physicians blinded to whether the participants were in the intervention or control group. The intervention group participants scored significantly higher in tests of knowledge and skills than control group participants. Confidence Survey scores did not differ significantly. The online training modules are a valuable resource for improving school nurse emergency preparedness knowledge and skills but may not affect participants' confidence.