Deteriorating Patients: Global Reach and Impact of an E-Simulation Program

•Recognition/management of patient deterioration is a key issue in nursing education.•The e-simulation program FIRST2ACTWeb was used for online training.•Two thousand nine hundred seventy-one qualified nurses/final-year nursing students worldwide completed the program with significant improvements in knowledge and performance.•The e-simulation education enhances nurses' work readiness.

BackgroundE-simulation may enable a feasible education solution to the management of deteriorating patients.MethodThe study involves a pre-post quasi-experimental evaluation of global data on educational outcomes from an e-simulation program.ResultsQualified nurses (n = 1,229) and final year nursing students (n = 1,742) were among 5,511 participants from 20 countries who completed the program. Both groups' knowledge and performance improved significantly (p = <.001) with no difference between groups. Regression analysis revealed predictors of performance were education level, knowledge, experience, and being female. Participants positively evaluated the program and mode of delivery.ConclusionE-simulation may enhance students' preparation for practice and improve qualified nurses' management of deteriorating patients.