---
title: "Problem-based learning improves training outcomes for Central Sterile Supply Department nurses"
id: "plos-one-5-effect-of-problem-based-learning-in-the-training-of-central-sterile-supply"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-5-effect-of-problem-based-learning-in-the-training-of-central-sterile-supply"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "General"
source_name: "PLOS ONE (Medicine)"
source_url: "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870"
published_at: "2026-09-22T14:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Journal Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Problem-based learning improves training outcomes for Central Sterile Supply Department nurses
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-5-effect-of-problem-based-learning-in-the-training-of-central-sterile-supply
- **Specialty:** [General](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- **Primary Source:** PLOS ONE (Medicine)
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-22T14:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Journal Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- This randomized study compared **problem-based learning** (PBL) versus traditional training for 40 Central Sterile Supply Department (**CSSD**) nurses at a single hospital over six months. - Nurses were randomized (20 observation/PBL, 20 control/traditional) using a random number table; assessors were blinded during evaluations. - The PBL intervention used case-based, small-group cycles (two 1-hour sessions per case, six cases total), instructor facilitation, assigned individual learning goals and iterative problem-solving with literature consultation. - The control group received equivalent-duration traditional methods: lectures, demonstrations, videos and short Q&A, with independent practice for skills. - Outcomes assessed after training included **theoretical knowledge**, **practical skills**, **self-directed learning competence**, **teamwork skills**, and training **satisfaction** using established scales and a CSSD question bank. - Theoretical exams and practical skills assessments had maximum scores of 100; teamwork and self-directed learning used validated scales with reported Cronbach’s alpha values in the source. - Results reported higher scores in the observation (PBL) group across theoretical knowledge, practical skills, self-directed learning competence, teamwork skills and satisfaction with training (P < 0.05). - The study protocol included ethics approval, written informed consent, a defined training team, blinded assessors, and training materials linked to national CSSD standards and a 2022 training manual. - Details on absolute score values, effect sizes and subgroup analyses were not reported in the provided source text. - Authors conclude that PBL can enhance CSSD nurses’ professional knowledge, hands-on skills and training satisfaction and propose PBL as a feasible model for ongoing on-the-job CSSD training.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
[ Skip to main content ](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#main-content) Advertisement * [plos.org](https://plos.org/) * [Create account](https://community.plos.org/registration/new) * [Sign in](https://journals.plos.org/user/secure/login?page=%2Fplosone%2Farticle%3Fid%3D10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0358870) * * About * Browse * Publish * [](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/ "PLOS One") * Search [advanced search](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/search) * [Browse Topics](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/subjectAreaBrowse) Browse Subject Areas ? Click through the PLOS taxonomy to find articles in your field. For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click [here](https://github.com/PLOS/plos-thesaurus/blob/master/README.md "Link opens in new window"). [](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) [](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * 0 [Save](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#savedHeader) [Total Mendeley and Citeulike bookmarks.](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#savedHeader) * 0 [Citation](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#citedHeader) [Paper's citation count computed by Dimensions.](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#citedHeader) * 27 [View](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#viewedHeader) [PLOS views and downloads.](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#viewedHeader) * 0 [Share](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#discussedHeader) [Sum of Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and Wikipedia activity.](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#discussedHeader) Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article # Effect of problem-based learning in the training of Central Sterile Supply Department nurses * Sixin Jiang, Roles Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodology, Writing – original draft Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ * Liangying Yi, Roles Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ * Wei Pan , Roles Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing * E-mail: 491914619@qq.com Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China [ ![ORCID logo](https://journals.plos.org/resource/img/orcid_16x16.png) https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0492-6139 ](https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0492-6139 "ORCID Registry") ⨯ * Hongxia Zhang, Roles Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ * Xiaoxiao Liu, Roles Investigation, Writing – review & editing Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ * Caixia Yuan, Roles Investigation, Writing – review & editing Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ * Yaoguang Mou Roles Investigation, Writing – review & editing Affiliations Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ⨯ # Effect of problem-based learning in the training of Central Sterile Supply Department nurses * Sixin Jiang, * Liangying Yi, * Wei Pan, * Hongxia Zhang, * Xiaoxiao Liu, * Caixia Yuan, * Yaoguang Mou ![PLOS](https://journals.plos.org/resource/img/logo-plos-full-color.svg) x * Published: September 22, 2026 * * [Article](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Authors](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Metrics](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/metrics?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Comments](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/comments?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Media Coverage](http://plos.altmetric.com/details/doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Abstract](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#abstract0) * [Introduction](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec006) * [Methods](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec007) * [Research methodology](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec010) * [Outcome measures](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec017) * [Results](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec023) * [Discussion](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec028) * [Conclusions](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec034) * [Supporting information](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#sec035) * [References](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#references) * [Reader Comments](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/comments?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) * [Figures](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870) ## Abstract ### Background Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) staff members’ mastery of professional knowledge and skills is associated with the quality of their work. ### Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of problem-based learning in the training of CSSD nurses. ### Methods This study was conducted from April to October 2024. Forty CSSD nurses at our hospital were randomly assigned to the observation group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20) using a random number table. The observation group received problem-based learning, while the control group received traditional training methods. After six months of training, the two groups were compared in terms of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, self-directed learning competence, teamwork skills and satisfaction with training. ### Results Scores for theoretical knowledge, practical skills, self-directed learning competence, teamwork skills and satisfaction with training were higher in the observation group than in the control group (_P_ 0.05), as shown in [Table 1](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870#pone-0358870-t001). [![thumbnail](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?size=inline&id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001)](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?size=medium&id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001 "Click for larger image") Download: * [PNG larger image](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?download&size=large&id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001) * [TIFF original image](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?download&size=original&id=10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001) Table 1. Demographic information on CSSD nurses. [ https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358870.t001) ## Research methodology ### Building a training team The training team consisted of one researcher, two head nurses and two instructors. Each team member held a mid-level or senior professional title, had more than five years of work experience in the CSSD and had more than two years of training experience. The training team was divided into an instructional group and an assessment group. The instructional group provided training to the control group, developed case
## Related Clinical Research

- [Rising prevalence of single and multiple organ fibrosis in England, 2012–2022](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-2-temporal-trends-in-single-and-multiple-organ-fibrosis-prevalence-and-primary.md)
- [First‑trimester glycolipid and inflammatory markers linked to gestational diabetes risk in rural S](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-11-evaluation-of-the-first-trimester-maternal-glycolipid-profile-on-gestational.md)
- [Maternal Vitamin D Status and Preeclampsia Risk in Kenyan Pregnant Women: A Matched Case–Control S](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-12-maternal-serum-vitamin-d-levels-and-preeclampsia-among-kenyan-pregnant-women-a.md)
- [CT-based Exploratory Analysis of Bronze Age Urns: Virtual vs Physical Assessment of Cremated Remai](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-23-virtuality-vs-reality-testing-a-virtual-approach-for-the-exploratory-analysis.md)
- [Generative Neuromorphic Programming of Mammalian Cells Using ERNs and Biomorphic Neural Networks](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/biorxiv-0-generative-neuromorphic-programming-of-mammalian-cells.md)

## Navigation
- [← Back to General Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md)
- [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md)
## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

> [!CAUTION]
> MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
> Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.