Capnography At the Bedside: Leading Educational Efforts

Capnography At the Bedside: Leading Educational Efforts (CapABLE Trial)

The purpose of this dual-site quasi-experimental pilot study is to evaluate if the implementation of an educational intervention paired with an environmental assessment to address accessibility barriers is associated with improvement in staff knowledge and skills, and adherence to national guidelines for use (evaluation in the knowledge transfer framework) in an emergency department (ED) setting.

The objective of this study is to develop a multi-faceted implementation program (referred to as the Capnography At the Bedside: Leading Emergency Education (CapABLE Trial)) to increase the use of capnography during two critical events in the emergency department, intubation and CPR, for better detection of endotracheal intubation, endotracheal tube dislodgement, and quality CPR.

The specific aims of the proposed study are to examine:

1. the effect of a comprehensive theory-based educational intervention on staff knowledge and skills related to capnography (outcome measure).
2. the effect of a multi-faceted implementation program on the adherence to national guidelines regarding the use of capnography during critical events in the emergency department (process measure).
3. the sustainability of effects of the implementation program on adherence, knowledge and skills (outcome and process measure).

The design and methods of this study are based on the knowledge transfer framework, which dictates identification of the message, target audience, messenger, process and communication, and evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Emergency department (ED) staff
• Staff will include registered nurses, respiratory therapists, technical associates, physicians, physician's assistants and advanced practice nurse practitioners who fulfill the majority of their clinical duties in the ED.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Staff who are assigned to work on other units, but who work in the ED on a casual or per diem status will be excluded.