I was lucky enough recently to meet a creative educator named Judith Sudmeier, MBA, RN,C, who is the Professional Staff Development Specialist at Centura, Louisville, CO ([email protected]). She and her colleagues wrote to me about the implementation of Educart, quite an innovative approach to staff development. She shares her experience with us here. Thanks, Judith!
The amount of information distributed to staff can be overwhelming. Along with an increase in volume of information, there appears to be an increase in urgency for the staff to assimilate that information. Various mechanisms have been used, including memorandums, team meeting discussions, electronic formats, and distribution of hard copies. Each mechanism has its benefits and limitations. The problem is that the route of information sharing does not always honor the recipient of the information. Healthcare providers want meaningful information delivered in efficacious ways. It is also their nature to want interaction with the information. At Avista Adventist Hospital, the Educart was implemented to meet the challenge of information sharing.
The Educart is a decorated wire mail cart that is pushed throughout the hospital by the clinical educator. Although it has a fun feel, there is real business of communication occurring during its presence. Each tour of the cart is associated with a specific topic, sponsored by unit or person who wanted that information distributed. Topics that have been addressed include patient safety goals, West Nile disease, geriatric update, women and heart disease, hand washing, managing epidurals, and tube feedings. Some of the sponsors have included the infection control nurse, chief nursing officer, chief medical officer, a housekeeper, a human resource intern, the critical care director, and the pharmacy director.
Besides being decorated, the cart always includes some type of treat. Treats have ranged from homemade cookies to ice cream sundaes. Root beer floats were a big hit. Finally, everyone who interacts with the cart has the opportunity to win a small prize. Prizes have included stuffed animals, nametag chains, boxes of candy, and coupons to the coffee shop. After interaction, the staff member signs a log sheet, and a winner is selected from that list.
Some of the keys to success include the following:
1. Ensure that interactions are brief. An individual interaction lasts no longer than 8 minutes, and most are much shorter.
2. Supply reinforcing materials. Make sure the information is reinforced by providing a synopsis in writing for future reference. One of our favorite ways to do this is to provide recipe cards with the information on the back side.
3. Visit all departments. It may be appropriate to adapt the information depending on the department, but we found that this was a great way to build understanding among the departments. For instance, although the medical records department had coded PICC line placement, the staff had never seen one. The cart provided hands-on information that broadened their understanding.
4. Assume a minimalist approach when selecting prizes and treats. Sponsors provide the prizes and treats with minimal cost. The goal is not to outdo one another in expense. In fact, the challenge has become to outdo each other in creativity.
5. Place a poster on all sides of the cart, identifying the sponsor(s) and the topic. This allows staff members to identify the cart's intention quickly and allows them to decide if they would like to participate.
6. Be sensitive to activity on the units. When approaching a unit, ask the charge nurse if it is an acceptable time.
7. Track the topic and encounters. Anyone who signs the log sheet is then tracked in the learning management system.
8. When possible, invite the sponsor to join the educator. Most sponsors are delighted to be present when the information is shared. Often times, they just need some support. Their attendance helps with clarification of any confusing issues.
If you are looking for an opportunity to have lively dialogues, reach a critical mass, share information, and honor staff in the process, try it! You'll like it.