Background

Patients receiving coronary artery bypass graph (CABG) surgeries have expressed anxieties in the postoperative period over a lack of understanding of postoperative care and expectations. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of simulation education on veterans undergoing CABG surgeries knowledge, satisfaction, anxiety, and length of stay.

Methods

An experimental pre–post test design was used with 20 veterans scheduled to receive CABG surgery. Results There was no significant improvement in length of stay in veterans in either educational group. However, use of a high-fidelity simulation education intervention experience revealed a significant increase in veteran knowledge group (t(10.25) = 7.09; p = .0001; d = 3.19) and satisfaction (t(9.24) = 2.66; p = .03; d = 1.20) compared with the control usual pre-CABG education sessions. Veterans also had a significant decrease in State anxiety scores in the intervention simulation education group over the control usual pre-CABG groups (t(18) = −2.61; p = .02; d = 1.17).

Conclusions

Simulation education is an effective educational tool for educating CABG patients preoperatively. The findings of the study indicate a benefit to veteran knowledge, satisfaction, and anxiety levels when utilizing high-fidelity simulation education.