Escape Room Training for New Nurses: Building Confidence During EHR Downtime
In a recent study presented at HIMSS25, Michael Allen, a senior clinical informatics nurse at Indiana University Health, explored the effectiveness of using simulated escape rooms to help new nurse graduates prepare for electronic health record (EHR) downtime scenarios. The results were promising, with participants reporting increased confidence in performing critical tasks during system outages.
The Importance of Preparedness
With the widespread adoption of EHR systems in healthcare settings, patient safety has improved significantly. However, when these systems experience downtime due to outages or cyberattacks, there is a potential risk of harm to patients. New nurses, who may not have experience with manual documentation processes, are particularly vulnerable during these situations.
According to Allen, many nursing schools and healthcare facilities no longer teach paper-based documentation methods, leaving new graduates unprepared for EHR downtime. As experienced nurses retire or leave the workforce, there is a growing need to ensure that newer generations of nurses are equipped to handle these challenges effectively.
Escape Room Training Approach
To address this gap in training, Allen conducted a study at Ball Memorial Hospital, where he introduced escape room-style training for new nurses with less than two years of experience. Drawing on Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the training sessions were designed to engage participants in hands-on challenges that simulated real-world downtime scenarios.
The escape room tasks included finding policies and policy tech, taking phone orders, faxing orders, and documenting medication administration – all essential skills for nurses to master during EHR downtime. By allowing participants to apply their knowledge in a practical setting, the training sessions helped them identify areas for improvement and receive guidance from mentors.
Recommendations for Future Training
Based on the success of the escape room training, Allen recommends incorporating three key focus areas in future sessions: creating engaging challenges, conducting training sessions twice a year, and collecting feedback through short participant surveys. By making the training experience both educational and enjoyable, new nurses can build confidence and readiness for handling EHR downtime effectively.
Overall, escape room training offers a unique and effective approach to preparing new nurses for unexpected challenges in the healthcare setting. By combining experiential learning with practical skills development, healthcare organizations can ensure that their nursing staff are well-equipped to handle EHR downtime with confidence and competence.
