A cross-sectional comparison of nursing knowledge attitudes and practices in adverse event management based on simulation training experience

Effective nurse management of Adverse Nursing Events (ANEs) is crucial for patient safety. This study aimed to investigate nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (self-reported clinical practice) regarding ANE management and compared KAP differences between nurses with and without clinical scenario simulation course (CSSC) training. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 931 nurses selected using convenience sampling from August 1st to August 15th 2024, across five hospitals in China. Data were collected using a self-designed KAP questionnaire. A total of 931 valid responses were collected. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7 (6, 8), 46 (40, 50), and 50 (42, 50), respectively. In unadjusted comparisons, nurses with CSSC training had higher knowledge, attitude, and practice scores than those without training (all P < 0.001). Knowledge positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.628, P < 0.001), and practice (r = 0.671, P < 0.001). Attitude correlated with practice (r = 0.876, P < 0.001). Nurses demonstrating adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and practices towards the management of ANE, those who received CSSC training scored significantly higher across all domains. Therefore, CSSC may be considered as a component of in-service patient-safety education; however, the observed differences should be interpreted as associations and require confirmation in longitudinal or experimental studies.