Defense Date

7-16-2020

Graduation Date

Summer 8-8-2020

Submission Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

School

School of Nursing

Faculty Mentor

Mary Kay Loughran

Committee Member

Ryan Speidel

Committee Member

Denise Lucas

Committee Member

Mary Ellen Glasgow

Keywords

in-hospital cardiac arrest, automated external defibrillation (AED) and medical-surgical nurses, mock code blue, use of acronyms for memory retention, learning curve, forgetting curve, adult learners, self-confidence in nurses, self-efficacy in nurses, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Abstract

Abstract

Literature consensus indicates overall Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) survival rates have remained unchanged despite equipment, drugs, and training improvements. Preparing and educating nurses for the inevitable Code Blue (cardiopulmonary event) is a sound and prudent practice. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to provide targeted CPR education, including timely Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and the COPES acronym as part of Basic Life Support (BLS) by improving nurses’ focus and automaticity in the initial minutes of Code Blue events. Combining multiple teaching methods including active learning scenarios (mock codes), question and answer sessions, audio-visuals (technical and non-technical), and COPES acronym usage, learning and memory retention led to efficient and efficacious BLS delivery. With preparation and improvement in BLS delivery, the chances of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a timely fashion should lead to improved patient recovery to discharge.

The COPES acronym corresponds to BLS actions: C—Call the Code, get the Crash Cart, start Compressions; O—turn On defibrillator in AED mode, Oxygen; P—Place Pads (defibrillator), Plug-in Pads; E—Evaluate/Analyze; S—Shock Safely, if needed.

Keywords: in-hospital cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, AED (automated external defibrillator) and Medical-Surgical nurses, mock code blue, use of acronyms for memory retention, learning curve, forgetting curve, adult learners, self-confidence in nurses, self-efficacy in nurses

Language

English

Included in

Nursing Commons

COinS