Engaging Students with Patient Safety in an Online Escape Room

Background: Creating innovative online instruction was essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights an engaging, online escape room (OER) educational innovation used to teach patient safety to first-semester nursing students. Method: Utilizing constructivist and adult learning theories, the OER, developed using Google Forms, consisted of gamification. Students completed puzzles related to a patient safety scenario presented via text, photograph, audio, and video to promote critical thinking and decision making. Results: Review of student reflections, test scores, and survey results determined the OER was effective to develop the student's understanding of the nurse's role in patient safety to include identification of safety concerns and appropriate interventions. Conclusion: Using Google forms, educators can create an OER for various topics to enhance student engagement and critical thinking skills. The OER can be supplemental instruction or an alternative for clinical and simulation instruction when online learning is mandated.

Automated summary

This study utilized an innovative online escape room (OER) educational approach to teach patient safety to nursing students. Results from student reflections, test scores, and survey results confirmed the effectiveness of the OER in developing student understanding and critical thinking skills in patient safety.