Simulation-Based Education for Caregivers of Infants with Shunt-Dependent Cardiac Physiology: Decreasing Caregiver Anxiety.

BACKGROUND

Home monitoring programs for infants with shunt-dependent cardiac physiology have significantly reduced mortality, but they demand extensive caregiver education and vigilance before and after hospital discharge.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Caregivers in the home monitoring program face complex tasks that can lead to anxiety and decreased confidence.

METHODS

This quality improvement project aimed to implement a modified simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum to improve confidence in home monitoring skills and decrease caregiver anxiety. The State Trait Anxiety Index for Adults short form Y was used to assess the impact.

INTERVENTIONS: The SBML intervention allowed caregivers to learn and demonstrate all home monitoring program skills in a simulated environment.

RESULTS

All participants met the minimum passing standards during the simulation. State anxiety decreased in 9 of 10 measures, and caregiver confidence increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified SBML intervention effectively decreased caregiver anxiety and increased confidence in home monitoring skills. This is the first intervention of its kind and may improve patient outcomes during this tenuous stage.