Ventricular Assist Device Simulation to Improve Staff Confidence and Knowledge when Caring for Patients Supported with the Berlin Heart

Background: Rapid growth of our mechanical cardiac support program coupled with limited experience among bedside nursing staff in the care of patients supported with the Berlin Heart (BH VAD) created the need for a targeted educational intervention. We designed an educational module combining didactic sessions with high-fidelity simulation of a patient supported with a BH VAD. Methods: A novel, high-fidelity BH VAD simulator was designed and tested by our team. Members of the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) nursing staff participated in didactic sessions and high-fidelity simulations. Pre- and post-experience surveys were administered to gauge staff confidence and basic knowledge regarding caring for a patient supported with a BH VAD. Follow-up surveys were administered 6-8 weeks after the educational module was completed. Results: 82 total staff members participated in the simulation. There were significant improvements in feelings of being prepared to care for a patient supported with a BH VAD [pre-participation median response 3 (range 2-4), post-participation median 4 (range 3-4), p < 0.001]. There were also significant improvements in knowledge assessment before and after the educational module [median number of questions answered correctly pre-participation: 2 (range 0-3); median answered correctly post-participation: 3 (range 2-3); p< 0.001]. These gains were maintained at a 6–8-week follow-up. Conclusions: High fidelity simulation with a novel BH VAD simulator, coupled with focused didactics, led to significant improvements in staff confidence and knowledge. This combination of training methods resulted in sustained improvements at 6–8-week follow-up. This approach to staff training can build and solidify knowledge of mechanically supported patients for the nursing staff in a CICU.