Simulation training on donning personal protective equipment and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation for nurses in a geriatric step-down hospital during COVID-19

Background. Donning personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are stressful tasks for healthcare professionals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of simulation training on donning PPE and performing CPR with PPE put on for nurses at a geriatric step-down hospital. Methods. A lecture and simulation training on donning PPE and performing CPR were provided for nurses. Confidence in donning PPE and performing CPR, knowledge of CPR, and satisfaction of participants were assessed before training (baseline), after the lecture, and after the simulation training. Results. 50 nurses (33 women and 17 men) attended both the lecture and simulation training, accounting for 90% of nurses in the department. Self-rated confidence in donning PPE and performing CPR improved significantly after the lecture (both p<0.001) and again after the simulation training (both p<0.001). Knowledge of CPR improved significantly after the lecture (p<0.001). Self-rated satisfaction of participants was high (9.3±0.3). Conclusion. Simulation training on donning PPE and performing CPR with PPE put on significantly improves the knowledge and confidence of nurses in a geriatric step-down hospital. This may contribute to improved patient outcomes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022 The Hong Kong Geriatrics Society and Hong Kong Association of Gerontology.