Can You Escape Sepsis? Using a Healthcare Escape Room as an Innovative Approach to Nursing Education.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to provide the clinical nurse specialist with an interactive, creative, and fun approach using an escape room to increase the retention and application of knowledge about caring for patients with sepsis and improve patient care outcomes. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT This project involved the design of a healthcare-based escape room, where clinical nurses and interprofessional learners engaged in a series of puzzles and problem-solving experiences to apply clinical judgment and critical thinking about patient care. THEORY AND FRAMEWORKS Knowles' theory of adult learning guided the development of this gamified learning. OUTCOME: The clinical nurse specialist was critical to the success of the escape room. The escape room created an innovative learning environment, expanding opportunities to engage staff and promote high-quality care for best patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: The benefits of incorporating adult learning principles with gamification-based education as a teaching strategy are evident in the feedback and overwhelmingly positive responses received from participants. The successes of the sepsis escape room have presented opportunities to continue supporting progressive, fun, and evidence-based learning environments and positively impact both nursing education and patient care outcomes.