The Use of Human Patient Simulation in ED Triage Training Can Improve Nursing Confidence and Patient Outcomes

Abstract

Nurses in community hospitals, because of the lack of residents and house staff found in tertiary centers, have the potential and need for more autonomous decision-making skills. Labor and delivery nurses, especially, function under a nurse-driven model. 1. Simpson KR The context and clinical evidence for common nursing practices during labor. Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2005; 30: 356 Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar In this context, nurses assess and begin interventions, and it is they who determine the need for the physician's presence at the bedside. 1. Simpson KR The context and clinical evidence for common nursing practices during labor. Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2005; 30: 356 Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar Similarly, in an acute pain service described by Musclow, 2. Musclow SL A community hospital acute pain service. Can Nurse. 2005; 101: 29-33 PubMed Google Scholar nurses are the drivers of care via their skill at assessment and decision making. This sort of nurse-driven model also is described in palliative care. 3. Hamilton F McDowell J Identifying the palliative care role of the nurse working in community hospitals: an exploratory study. Int J Palliative Nurs. 2004; 10: 426-434 PubMed Google Scholar Lisa Wolf, Pioneer Valley Chapter, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.