The effect of crisis management training in traffic accidents with a high rate of mortality using simulated training on knowledge and attitude of nursing personnel

Crisis management plays an important role in preparing hospitals for responding to disasters. Therefore, improvement of knowledge and attitude of the crisis management team is an unavoidable necessity for increasing the preparedness of the hospitals in the response phase to critical conditions and real disasters. Since, based on previous studies, lack of knowledge and proper attitude is one of the main problems of disaster management in Iran, teaching crisis management using simulated training method has been considered as a solution. Therefore, the aim of this study was determining the effect of teaching crisis management in traffic accidents with a high rate of mortality using simulated training (maneuver) method on the knowledge and attitude of nursing staff of Hospital. The present experimental interventional study was performed from September 2017 to January 2018, in Shahid Motahari Hospital, Marvdasht. The study population consisted of the nursing staff of the hospital and the sample included all of the emergency department nurses of the hospital (100 nurses). Data were gathered with the attitude scale in crisis, emergency preparation questionnaire and triage knowledge test of accidents before and 2 weeks after intervention. Intervention included a one-day workshop training for all of the study population and then performing table maneuver and stimulated road accident maneuver for the test group. Analysis of data was done using SPSS 22 and descriptive statistics, paired t-test and ANCOVA test. Mean score of emergency preparation knowledge showed a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups of test (166.69 ±25.47) and control (136.14±39.24) after intervention (p<0.0001). In addition, the overall score of attitude towards crisis management after intervention was significantly different between test (21.44±1.10) and control (20.92±1.57) groups (p=0.02). The results showed that training via simulation method and workshop could improve knowledge and attitude towards crisis management better than educational workshop alone. Therefore, simulation training of educational programs is suggested for improvement of knowledge and attitude regarding crisis management.