Effect of structured, simulation-based education on nurses' knowledge and self-reported safe blood transfusion practices.

INTRODUCTION

Errors during blood transfusion continue to contribute to preventable adverse events, and nurses often have gaps in their transfusion-related knowledge and practices. This study evaluated the effect of simulation-based education on nurses' knowledge and practices regarding blood transfusion.

METHODS

A quasiexperimental, single-group, pretest/post-test study was conducted among 227 registered nurses at a tertiary-care hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge (23 items, maximum score = 30) and self-reported practices (15 items, maximum score = 75) before and after 4-hour simulation-based education. The intervention consisted of didactic review, hands-on skills stations, and high-fidelity simulation scenarios. Data were analyzed using paired t tests, independent t tests, and 1-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) postintervention total score (54.8 [7.1]) demonstrated a statistically significant increase of 20.0 points from the preintervention score (34.8 [10.5]) (t226 = -61.5; P < .001], with a large effect size (Cohen d = 2.24). Statistically significant improvements were observed in both the knowledge and practice domains (P < .001). Analysis revealed that nurses with less than 5 years of clinical experience and those in the 20 to 29 years of age group had statistically significantly lower baseline scores but showed the greatest magnitude of improvement (P < .001). Prior formal training showed no statistically significant association with baseline knowledge or improvement.

DISCUSSION: Simulation-based education substantially improved nurses' transfusion-related knowledge and practices.