Simulation improves parent knowledge of central line care in pediatric cancer patients

Central line infections in pediatric cancer patients pose life-threatening risks. A study, published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, reviewed how providing parents with simulation training can help prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).

The central line, a central venous catheter, requires maintenance to avoid infections, but many parents are uniformed on how to do so. Led by Carol E. Heiser Rosenberg, ND, DNP, RN, the study tested simulation training for parents could improve knowledge and psychomotor skills in central line care.

The study included parents of 17 children with cancer from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, where one parent had received conventional central line education but lacked understanding in important safety practices and the symptoms of a CLABSI. Each parent was enrolled in a simulator with a life-sized child to practice central line care.

The addition of the simulated practice was able to increase a parent’s knowledge from 10 to 15 points out of a possible 16 and psychomotor skills from eight to 12 points out of possible 12. All parents reported the simulation to be essential in learning about central line care. Researchers believe the simulation can also be applied to other areas of parent and patient education no matter what the age or condition.