SP 4.08 Navigating Critical Moments: A Medical Emergencies Teaching Series for Nurses on Surgical Wards

Aims/Objectives

Improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge and competencies in recognising, treating, and appropriately escalating medical emergencies through a structured teaching series targeted at nursing and allied health professionals in an acute orthopaedic ward.

Methods

A teaching series employing case-based interactive discussions addressing key emergencies (cardiac arrest, NEWS (National Early Warning Score) emergencies, delirium, hypo- and hyperglycaemia, falls, haemorrhage, sepsis, seizures, and acute withdrawal). Sessions led by resident doctors following the daily huddle, with pre and post-feedback forms to assess knowledge, confidence and quality of teaching.

Results

Confidence in recognising NEWS scoring parameters rose from 60% to 100% with overall confidence in managing emergencies rising from 60% to 80%

100% of participants rated their confidence in the initial management of seizures as Neutral or not confident prior to the teaching session. Post teaching analysis found that 80% of participants felt somewhat confident or extremely confident in managing seizures.

A session on hypo-hyperglycaemia found that 67% of professionals were somewhat or extremely confident in managing emergencies. This number rose to 100% after the session.

Overall participants showed significant improvement in understanding of emergency protocols, trust guidelines, early recognition of emergencies, and the initiation of role-appropriate management following each session.

Sessions attracted a diverse group of healthcare professionals and consistently received positive feedback (91% rated good or excellent).

Conclusion

The teaching series increases confidence and effectively equips healthcare providers with essential competencies in managing medical emergencies in a ward environment leading to improved patient safety and outcomes.