Ebola Virus Hemorrhagic Fever: A Simulation-Based Clinical Education Experience Designed for Senior Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

In light of the recent Ebola virus disease outbreak, nursing faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing recognized the need to reassess and reinforce undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and skills related to infection prevention and control precautions and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Senior nursing students may have a very limited role in the identification of an Ebola case, depending on clinical placement settings, but teaching them about the expanded precautions used in the care of Ebola cases can serve to reinforce understanding of principles, stimulate interest in infection control and enhance technical skills that are transferrable to other patients with infections. A simulation-based clinical education experience designed for senior students in their final year of studies in the Bachelor of Nursing (Collaborative) Program was developed using a step-wise approach and following the deteriorating patient scenario (DPS) method. The simulation has four implementation frames that are linked to the four key learning objectives which include the following; (1) recognize Ebola virus disease compatible symptoms, (2) implement the guidelines for expanded isolation precautions to prevent the transmission of the Ebola virus, (3) demonstrate the proper sequence for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), and (4) remove risk for exposure to the Ebola virus through decontamination. The simulation experience concludes with a video based debriefing that followed a modified rapid cycle deliberate practice method.