A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest-follow-up study evaluated a 3-phase '**Crawl-Walk-Run**' simulation program using low-cost 3D-printed tibia/humerus task trainers on 22 emergency nurses' intraosseous (IO) knowledge, skill, confidence, and clinical utilization over 3 months at a Midwestern community hospital.
Knowledge (g = 1.31, P < .001) and technical skill (g = 1.23, P < .001) improved significantly and were sustained at 3-month follow-up. Confidence rose post-training (P < .001) but declined modestly by 3 months (P = .43). Nurse-initiated IO insertions went from **0 in the prior year** to **5 first-pass successes within 3 months** post-intervention.
- Very small sample (n = 22) at a single community hospital limits generalizability. - No control group; pre-post design cannot rule out confounders. - Confidence gains were not sustained at 3 months, suggesting booster training may be needed.
A low-cost 3D-printed IO simulation program can meaningfully boost nurse knowledge, skill, and real-world IO use — consider it as a sustainable training tool for high-acuity, low-occurrence procedures. Schedule periodic booster sessions to help maintain procedural confidence over time.
Explore related topics
