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Education is the foundation of progress, and as the world continues to evolve, so must our approach to learning. In healthcare, the need for education reform has become increasingly evident, particularly in demonstrating essential skills such as problem-solving, reasoning, and applying theory to clinical practice. Traditional lecture-based learning has limitations, and it is time to embrace a more dynamic and effective method: the flipped classroom.
What is Flipped Classroom Learning?
Flipped classroom learning is a transformative educational model that replaces the conventional lecture-style format with active learning techniques. In this approach, course content, including lectures, videos, articles, and online modules, is accessible to students outside the classroom. Instead of passively receiving information during class, students engage with the material beforehand, preparing them for meaningful in-class interactions.
Active Participation vs. Passive Reception
The hallmark of the flipped classroom is the shift from passive participation to active involvement. When students come to class with prior exposure to the content, they are better equipped to delve deeper into the subject matter, ask relevant questions, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and instructors.
Pre-Tests and Customized Learning
Pre-tests allow students to assess their knowledge and understanding of the material before attending class. Students who demonstrate sufficient mastery may skip certain parts, enabling a more personalized and tailored learning experience.
Empowerment and Confidence Building
Students become more confident in applying theoretical knowledge in real-world clinical scenarios by actively participating in their learning journey. This increased self-assurance enhances their exam performance and fosters a more competent and well-prepared healthcare workforce.
Education Improved Student Engagement
Flipped classrooms create a more stimulating and interactive learning environment, naturally increasing student engagement. Through collaborative activities and discussions, nursing students can better understand complex concepts and learn from their peers’ diverse perspectives.
Better Preparation for Real-World Challenges
Healthcare is an ever-changing, complex field. It requires professionals to be well-prepared for practical application. Flipped classrooms bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping nursing students develop the critical thinking skills and adaptability needed to excel in their careers.
Enhanced Learning Outcomes
Numerous studies have shown that flipped classroom models lead to higher exam scores and improved overall academic performance compared to traditional teaching methods. The student-centered approach fosters deeper learning and long-term knowledge retention.
Addressing the Needs of Modern Healthcare
Today’s healthcare system demands adaptable and proficient professionals who can tackle complex issues. Flipped classrooms empower nursing students to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively, aligning their skills with industry demands.
Conclusion
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so must our approach to education. Flipping the classroom offers a transformative and evidence-based learning method that prepares nursing students for the challenges of modern healthcare. This innovative learning method empowers the healthcare professionals of tomorrow by fostering active engagement, critical thinking, and application of theory to practice.
Instructors and nurse educators play a pivotal role in driving this educational reform. By adopting evidence-based training styles and embracing the flipped classroom model, they can cultivate a new generation of competent and confident nurses ready to impact the healthcare system significantly.
The need for flipped classrooms in healthcare education is not just a passing trend but an imperative step toward building a stronger and more capable healthcare workforce.
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In a recent analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Altarum, the healthcare sector has experienced an unprecedented rate of employment growth, marking a significant milestone not seen in over three decades. Throughout 2023, healthcare employment expanded by an impressive 3.9%, surpassing the growth rate of all other industries by more than 2.5 times.
What makes this surge particularly remarkable is that it harkens back to a time not witnessed since 1991, highlighting the resilience and vitality of the healthcare workforce. This growth trajectory underscores the indispensable role of healthcare professionals and the increasing demand for their services as a response to ongoing healthcare needs and the restoration of pre-pandemic care levels.
One of the driving forces behind this remarkable resurgence is the return of nurses to the workforce. As Altarum’s analysis suggests, the replenishment of nurses and hiring to offset the attrition caused by burnout during the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 and 2022 has significantly contributed to this upward trend. The anticipation of a return to normalcy in healthcare demand post-pandemic has also played a pivotal role in bolstering job growth within the sector.
Reskilling & Retraining Through Digital Competency Platforms
As nurses return to the workforce, there is a pressing need for reskilling and training. This is where digital competency platforms, like Dossier, can play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable and resilient healthcare workforce.
We provide healthcare organizations with tools to enhance skills development and streamline training processes. With the ability to adapt to evolving industry demands and bridge skill gaps effectively, digital competency management platforms empower healthcare professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
As we enter 2024, the healthcare industry is poised for continued growth and transformation. The resurgence of job opportunities not only signals a promising future for healthcare professionals but also underscores the vital importance of investing in the ongoing development of skills and competencies. With the support of digital tools like Dossier, healthcare leaders can confidently navigate these skills and training challenges, ensuring their workforces are equipped to deliver exceptional care to all who need it.
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Reinforcing Key Concepts for Healthcare Workers on the Go
Healthcare professionals face the challenge of staying up-to-date with the latest medical advancements while juggling their demanding work schedules. Traditional classroom-based learning often falls short of meeting their unique needs. This is where microlearning and just-in-time learning come into play as powerful tools to reinforce key concepts and support continuous learning, making it a perfect fit for healthcare workers constantly on the go.
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning is a pedagogical approach that delivers small, bite-sized units of information to learners. These concise and focused learning modules can take the form of short videos, interactive quizzes, infographics, or mini-games. The goal is to present information in a manner that is easy to understand, quickly consumable, and readily applicable to real-world scenarios.
Advantages of Microlearning for Healthcare Workers:
What is Just-in-Time Learning?
Just-in-time learning complements microlearning by providing learners with immediate access to information when they need it the most. It involves providing on-demand learning resources to address specific challenges or questions that arise during the course of their work.
Benefits of Just-in-Time Learning for Healthcare Workers
The Synergy: Flipped Classroom and Microlearning
The flipped classroom, microlearning, and just-in-time learning form a powerful synergy in healthcare education. The flipped classroom model allows healthcare students to access foundational knowledge through microlearning modules before attending class, thus preparing them for more in-depth discussions during the in-person sessions.
Moreover, healthcare professionals can continue their learning journey beyond formal education by embracing microlearning and just-in-time learning. As they encounter challenges in their daily practice, they can reinforce their knowledge through brief, targeted learning modules. This continuous learning approach keeps them informed, skilled, and confident, which is essential in a rapidly evolving field like healthcare.
Conclusion
Integrating flipped classrooms, microlearning, and just-in-time learning is a game-changer for healthcare workers. It addresses their unique needs for flexible, accessible, and targeted learning while supporting continuous professional development.
As the healthcare industry advances, embracing these innovative approaches will undoubtedly contribute to a more competent, confident, and compassionate workforce, ultimately benefiting healthcare professionals and their patients. So, let’s flip the script on traditional learning and empower healthcare workers with the tools they need to succeed in their noble mission of providing quality care.
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Germany, like Norway, faces challenges in terms of personnel shortages, a baby boom generation heading into retirement at full speed and rising costs in the healthcare system. German health leaders visited Norway to learn.
There is always something to learn when you visit other hospitals and health institutions. We in Germany face the same challenges within the healthcare system as Norway does in terms of personnel shortages, an increasing proportion of the population getting older and higher costs. I think it is completely the same in both Norway and Germany, says Lorenz Trümper, managing director of the University Hospital in Göttingen to Dagens Medisin during his visit to Rikshospitalet and Oslo University Hospital.
Lorenz Trümper and parts of the management at the University Hospital in Göttingen and the University Clinic in Bonn in Germany visited Norway and Oslo University Hospital.
The German hospital director says the challenges are about being able to recruit, retain and have properly qualified personnel. The German health leaders were visiting Norway to learn about different strategies to meet these challenges, and in particular to learn about the Norwegian Competence Portal, which the Norwegian company Dossier Solutions supplies.
Mapping competencies
Dossier helps hospitals to have an overview of what the staff can and are trained in, so that the hospital knows that they meet quality requirements and maintain patient safety. The Competence Portal software gathers the employees’ expertise and contributes to a “competency overview” for both the individual employee, managers and healthcare organizations.
The health sector is dependent on large numbers of new employees and students to maintain the treatment offer. Dossier helps with structured training to get new employees into the job as quickly as possible. Much of this training work is paper-based today, we give the health sector the tools to do this digitally, says Geir Arnhoff, managing director of Dossier Solutions.
All health organizations in Norway and a large part of the municipal health service use Dossier today. In addition, the company supplies the solution to more than 300 hospitals in the US, a market they entered in 2019.
Norway is ahead of the game
Arnhoff explains that, as has traditionally been the case through training, having checklists of courses and procedures and entering them manually in Excel and other makeshift solutions is both time-consuming and often difficult to find again once the file has been archived.
It takes a lot of time and it is difficult to know for sure whether employees have received training in the correct procedures and material. The hospitals end up with good quality in the end, but they spend a lot of time on it. This solution saves time and helps to make quality measurements easier.
In Germany, there will be a new law in March that requires quality data to be published and made public.
Norway is well advanced when it comes to digitization and standardization in the healthcare system. Germany faces many of the same challenges we have found solutions for in Norway and is now coming to Norway to learn from our experiences.
Hospital director Trümper believes such a system is of great value.
That is why we come here to learn from those who have already put this to use. Now we want to see if this is possible to achieve with us.
The innovation project that is ongoing between Dossier and the two German hospitals has a total budget of over five million kroner. Now the company is working with Innovation Norway to find good ways to scale in the German market, and to achieve the same standardization as has been achieved in Norway in Germany.
Relevant with a view to retaining employees
At Rikshospitalet, the German delegation was given a review and demonstration of how the Competence Portal works at Oslo University Hospital by advisers Nikolai Mørck and Malin Vik Malnes. Oslo University Hospital was among the first to try out the Competence Portal.
They are two of five who have worked in the project team for the introduction of the Competence Portal. The project has now ended and operations are now over at the Department for competence development in the clinic.
Dossier manager Arnhoff says he is very impressed by the introduction of Oslo University Hospital. He highlights in particular how the two advisers have made themselves available for questions as an important success criterion.
The team that has worked with the Competence Portal here has made an enormOslo University Hospital effort, and has been responsible for what is probably the most effective and focused implementation of our system in a hospital. That is impressive! The implementation has been well organized, says Arnhoff.
Head of department Knut Arne Pedersen, HR staff, Oslo University Hospital was also present at the session and the presentation for the German health managers. Pedersen was also part of the project team for the introduction. Pedersen stated at the session that the tool is also relevant in terms of preventing healthcare personnel from leaving their jobs.
When someone quits their job at Oslo University Hospital, they answer a survey about why. Many respond that there is too little room for further education and competence building in their role. In this way, this becomes a relevant tool for not only mapping competence, but also for planning good and relevant competence development for each individual employee, Pedersen stated at the session.
We don’t have “state of the art” tools, we were able to demonstrate that here today
Helle Dokken is Norwegian and director of nursing at the University Hospital in Göttingen. She says their goal is to map out which skills, in addition to nursing education, their employees need to do the best possible job with the patients.
We are not good enough there today. We have a cumbersome system and use a lot of excel tables and other not “state of the art” tools. We have gained an insight into the “state of the art” here. We would like to put such a system in place to be able to move forward in this area, says Dokken.
She says that in order to manage to systematize the information, to know who knows what and who needs more training or education, there is a need for such a tool as Oslo University Hospital and other health organizations in Norway use today.
Dokken gives an example that if a nurse with them wants to change departments and work elsewhere, then the system that Dossier offers will make it possible to “take” the expertise to the new department.
You don’t do that today. Then you have to start a new competence mapping. This is also very useful in terms of students for the university hospitals, where you can document and take your skills with you.
Dokken sees the system as a good tool for managers in terms of knowing what skills they need and what they have.
And what do we have expertise in that we don’t need? It is very clarifying for all managers, but also for the nurses, who then get to know what it is they need from courses and knowledge. And the fact that you can take this with you to new workplaces saves time.
She believes that such a portal and overview will help both managers and employees save time on these things.
And not least, it’s nice to know and get an overview that you’ve done what you’re supposed to, both for the individual employees and managers.
Welcomes the restructuring of the German health service
In Germany, there is now a debate about restructuring the health service due to the challenges of personnel shortages, more elderly people and financial challenges.
The government wants more transparency about quality and new “levels” of hospitals. A total supplier of health services and regional health centers that will provide for the population’s basic health service needs.
In Göttingen, such a health center will now be established, one of the first of its kind. Hospital director Trümper believes it is a good change.
This is a major upheaval of the health service. I think it’s a good change in terms of the future, but there are big political discussions and a lot of opposition. One of the consequences of this change is that one in three hospitals will disappear. There is no economy to run everyone like today.
He refers to how the health crowns are used now compared to before, which he believes plays a big role.
Adopt new treatment methods. The costs of new methods have exploded and take a much larger part of the money pot. The total health budget has not shrunk, but it is spent differently on, for example, new methods.
Trümper believes that the financing of pharmaceuticals will perhaps change in Germany, and that the challenges in health are probably one of the biggest political headaches in Germany right now.
The hospital director says the closure of a third of the country’s hospitals has met with a lot of opposition from residents and politicians at local level. He is more uncertain about whether it will be carried out.
I see it as a necessity because of quality and personnel.
50/50 if it goes through
He refers to the challenges that both Germany and Norway face, fewer people of working age and a larger baby boomer generation that is at full speed into retirement.
Therefore, we need a restructuring of the service. I don’t think we will get more people to work in the health care system.
If you had asked me a year ago whether the government would succeed in this, I would have said yes. Now it’s more 50-50. There is a lot of opposition, especially from the wealthier parts of the country. But I don’t think a restructuring will go beyond patient care.
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The pursuit of excellence is a journey with no end. One vital milestone along this path for hospitals is the coveted Magnet status, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Achieving Magnet recognition isn’t just a badge of honor; it’s a testament to a healthcare organization’s commitment to quality patient care, exceptional nursing practice, and a culture of innovation. Clinical career advancement for nurses plays an integral role in helping healthcare organizations reach the pinnacle of nursing excellence. This article shares the importance of clinical career advancement pathways for nurses and their critical role in achieving Magnet status.
The Magnet Recognition Program, established by the ANCC, is a prestigious designation awarded to healthcare organizations that meet and exceed a stringent set of standards related to nursing care and patient outcomes. Achieving Magnet status is a testament to an organization’s unwavering dedication to the highest quality of patient care and nurse-led innovation.
Improved Patient Outcomes: Magnet hospitals consistently report better patient outcomes, including reduced mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications. Clinical career advancement for nurses is central to improving these outcomes, as highly skilled nurses lead to safer and more effective patient care.
Attracting Top Talent: Magnet status acts as a magnet, not just for patients but for top nursing talent as well. Nurses aspire to work in Magnet-recognized facilities, knowing they will have professional growth and development opportunities.
Enhanced Organizational Culture: Achieving Magnet status reflects an organization’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment, promoting shared governance, and valuing the contributions of nurses. Clinical career advancement for nurses is a key driver in creating this culture of excellence.
Clinical career advancement pathways in healthcare empower nurses to continually improve their skills and knowledge. This advancement can take many forms, such as pursuing higher education, achieving specialty certifications, and taking on leadership roles within the organization.
Clinical career advancement contributes to achieving Magnet status by way of:
Helping nurses track their clinical training and education within a digital platform not only helps the healthcare organization deliver value to its nursing team but also helps the organization stand out. As we experience an increase in the number of healthcare workers returning to the workforce, we need to ensure they are equipped with digital tools that help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to be true leaders in their fields. Platforms, like Dossier, capture and track clinical ladder programs for healthcare organizations – making the process easier for all involved.
The journey to Magnet status is an accolade and a promise to deliver the highest quality patient care. Nursing career development is an essential component of this journey, as it empowers them to reach their full potential, contribute to a culture of excellence, and ultimately help their healthcare organizations achieve the prestigious Magnet recognition. By investing in nursing career development strategies, healthcare organizations pave the way to a brighter future for their nurses and patients. By leveraging digital tools, healthcare organizations set themselves apart so they can recruit and retain the best talent.
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Enhancing Healthcare Workforce Competency: A Strategic Partnership Between Amplifire and Dossier
Amplifire, the leading adaptive eLearning and content development platform and sponsor of the Healthcare Alliance, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Dossier, a pioneer in competency management solutions, to revolutionize workforce competency training in the healthcare sector. This collaboration aims to address the unique challenges faced by healthcare institutions by combining Amplifire’s one-of-a-kind, proven adaptive learning algorithm and the Dossier platform.
The collaboration with Dossier brings a critical component to Amplifire’s Workforce Competency offering, strategically designed to meet the healthcare sector’s pronounced workforce challenges, emphasizing the need for competency and skills-based training.
Amplifire’s world-class, Healthcare Alliance courses, and new AI-driven content development capabilities are transforming the way healthcare learns and trains.
Dossier enables 100% visibility and end-to-end management, helping Amplifire prioritize speed, efficiency, and thorough tracking to create a powerful workforce competency solution tailored to modern learning environments’ dynamic needs.
This collaboration’s key features include automated and comprehensive tracking of knowledge, and abilities, flexible reporting capabilities, web-based access for seamless integration, and brain science-based adaptive learning.
“We are excited to partner with Amplifire, a company renowned for its innovative approach to knowledge enhancement,” said Geir Arnhoff, Founder and CEO of Dossier. “This partnership is a significant step toward our commitment to enhancing healthcare training. By integrating Amplifire’s AI-driven content on our platform, we aim to elevate the standard of training and patient care in hospitals.”
“Partnering with Dossier is a strategic move for Amplifire,” emphasized Bob Burgin, CEO of Amplifire. “Our AI-driven content, focused on improving knowledge and decision-making in healthcare, finds a perfect synergy with Dossier’s platform. Together, we’re not just providing information,we’re creating a powerful tool that can lead to tangible improvements in patient safety and hospital outcomes.”
Based on current use cases, the partnership is already yielding results for accreditation requirement fulfillment, administrative burden reduction, deep insights into learner knowledge, misunderstandings, and struggles, as well as empowerment and guidance for career advancement.
This collaboration is part of a broader initiative by Amplifire to invest in innovative and effective workforce development solutions. By combining forces with Dossier, Amplifire aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare workforce training and patient safety.
About Amplifire
Amplifire is a next-generation learning platform with more than four billion interactions and is an innovator in high-stakes training for critical roles. The Amplifire platform harnesses advances in cognitive science to create personalized learning and drive successful outcomes. The platform’s adaptive
algorithm guides millions of learners to mastery across healthcare, government, and other segments, providing unique analytics that offer valuable learner insights.
About Dossier
Dossier leads the way in competency management, offering a platform that helps healthcare institutions create, manage, monitor, and improve staff competencies efficiently. Dossier’s commitment to leveraging technology for better healthcare outcomes has positioned the organization as a preferred partner for healthcare institutions globally.
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How rising costs, recruitment challenges, and the great resignation reshaped healthcare and redefined the patient experience
The pandemic continues to add pressure to healthcare organizations across the U.S. From increased pricing for drugs and equipment to recruitment challenges to the great resignation, healthcare CFOs, HR and department executives, and staff are left wondering if there is an end in sight. And it seems it may only get worse before it gets better.
According to a May 11, 2022 report from McKinsey, the U.S. could see a deficit of 200,000 to 450,000 registered nurses available for direct patient care by 2025 if there are no changes in current care delivery models. To put that into perspective, McKinsey estimates that for every 1 percent of nurses who leave direct patient care, the shortage worsens by about 30,000 nurses.
The impact this will have on care delivery and the patient experience is concerning, especially considering the aging population. By 2030, 71 million Americans (about 20% of the U.S. population) will be 65+, a demographic known to have complex health problems, chronic illnesses, and disabilities. If things don’t change in the U.S. healthcare system, there will be more patients than nurses to care for them.
While filling the nurse pipeline is one solution, the U.S. would need to double the number of new graduates entering and staying in nursing every year for the next three years. The challenge is there aren’t enough nursing programs and educators to handle the influx. An analysis of graduating nurses shows the decline – dropping from an increase of 4 percent in 2019 to only 1 percent in 2020, far short of what’s needed to support our healthcare system.
And that’s just part of the problem.
The Financial Impact of COVID on Healthcare Organizations
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been nearly 95 million COVID-19 cases, 1.04 million deaths, and more than five million hospitalizations. This has placed an enormous strain on healthcare workers. When combined with rising costs for medications, equipment, etc., these numbers have resulted in billions in lost revenue.
More than 33% of hospitals are operating on negative margins, according to the American Hospital Association. Many can’t get the nursing staff needed to increase surgeries and cover the budget pressures.
Typically, when there was a staffing shortage, the budget used not paying salaries could be reallocated for increased costs; however, hospitals were paying travel nurses to help address the staffing shortfall.
In 2019, hospitals spent a median of 4.7 percent of their total nurse labor expense for contract travel nurses. That number skyrocketed to 38.6 percent (median) in January 2022. Contract labor rates skyrocketed 213 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Medical supplies and drug expenses were up 20.6 and 36.9 percent, respectively.
As though these problems aren’t enough, according to a report from cybersecurity firm Sophos, ransomware attacks on healthcare increased 94 percent from 2021 to 2022. More than two-thirds of healthcare organizations in the U.S. reported experiencing a ransomware attack in 2021.
When considering the financial impact these factors have had on healthcare organizations, it becomes clear that people alone aren’t going to fix the problem.
The Solutions
Digital Transformation
Digital transformation in healthcare translates to the ability to serve patients better digitally. It means adopting technologies to improve workflows, efficiency, and patient care. One area that could easily be improved involves shifting from paper-based competency management to a digital competency management platform.
Only 20 percent of what staff need to know is captured in learning management systems. The other 80 percent is competencies – knowledge, skills, judgment, and behaviors – critical to their roles, but it’s currently captured on paper and housed in three-ring binders, creating waste and inefficiencies.
Consider the waste in paper-based competency management:
By shifting healthcare competency management to a digital platform, Dossier helpsorganizations improve workflow and efficiency, giving staff more time for training and with patients.
In the current paper-based competency management environment, when changes are needed, time is spent going into each individual’s plan, making changes, printing the changes out, finding the staff member, finding the binder, switching out the plans, etc. When you multiply this time by the number of staff members involved, the need to go digital becomes clear.
With digital competency management platforms like Dossier, plan updates happen with a few clicks of a button. Competency checklists can be approved and are visible to all. The visibility into each person’s progress and transparency are valued by staff. Plus, Dossier connects to any learning activity in your healthcare learning ecosystem.
Users can report by individual, department, facility, or the full enterprise. And reports can be run in minutes. Dossier practically eliminates survey day stress and frustration. But don’t take our word for it – see for yourself:
If you are ready for the next step, request a 15-minute meeting.
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The statistics regarding preventable harm are alarming. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in every 10 patients is harmed in healthcare, and more than 3 million deaths occur annually due to unsafe care.
In low-to-middle-income countries, as many as 4 in 100 people die from unsafe care. Furthermore, the financial burden is significant, with medical errors costing around $20 billion annually. These numbers show preventable harm is a leading cause of death and a major contributor to healthcare expenditures in the U.S.
For hospitals to address preventable harm, they need to ensure staff are trained appropriately and have the skills, knowledge, judgment, and decision-making necessary for their roles. New technologies pave the way for massive improvements in this area, allowing healthcare organizations to significantly reduce preventable harm incidents by:
Appropriately training clinicians: Healthcare organizations should ensure clinicians are appropriately trained and have the qualifications for their assigned tasks. Clear guidelines and protocols should be established to prevent clinicians from practicing beyond their scope and to encourage effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.
Improving care coordination for complex medical conditions: Patients with complex medical conditions often require care from multiple providers across different healthcare settings. Poor coordination among these providers can result in fragmented care, medication errors, and delays in treatment. Healthcare organizations should prioritize care coordination by implementing robust communication systems, care management strategies, and health information exchange technologies. This will facilitate seamless information sharing and collaboration among healthcare teams, ultimately enhancing patient safety.
Not going beyond the “five rights” of medication safety: The “five rights” of medication safety (right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time) form the foundation of safe medication administration. However, errors can still occur within this framework. Healthcare organizations should promote a medication safety culture by implementing additional safeguards, and competency plans can help to standardize this practice. Regular training and education programs for healthcare professionals can also enhance their understanding of safe medication practices. With a digital platform, pushing these updates and monitoring progress becomes streamlined. Dossier is extremely proud to work closely with #ASHP on digitizing and enhancing the ASHP Competency Assessment Centers to help hospitals and healthcare providers ensure appropriate training of their staff members. This is a great example of how digital tools can contribute to elevating medication safety.
Inaccurate patient medication lists: Accurate and up-to-date medication lists are essential for safe and effective healthcare delivery. However, discrepancies in medication lists can lead to errors, adverse drug events, and drug interactions. Healthcare organizations should implement robust medication reconciliation processes during transitions of care, involving patients as active participants in verifying and updating their medication information. Using electronic health records and standardized medication reconciliation protocols can significantly reduce inaccuracies in medication lists. Digital competency management software platforms help ensure staff is adequately trained and provide transparency in training requirements and compliance, giving executives and managers peace of mind towards their quality standards and surveyors.
Accidental use of neuromuscular blocking agents: These medications are typically used during surgical procedures to induce muscle relaxation. Accidental administration outside of a controlled setting can have serious consequences, including respiratory compromise and patient harm. Healthcare organizations should establish strict protocols and safety checks to prevent the accidental use of neuromuscular blocking agents in non-surgical settings. Implementing automated alerts, double-checking procedures, and comprehensive training for healthcare providers can minimize the risks associated with these medications.
While the solutions to preventable harm in healthcare are multifaceted and require a systemic approach, the importance of having competent staff cannot be overstated. Healthcare organizations must invest in hiring and retaining qualified professionals who are adequately trained, licensed, and possess the necessary skills to deliver safe and effective care. Ongoing professional development, training programs, and performance assessments should be incorporated to ensure staff are current with the latest evidence-based practices and patient safety guidelines.
Dossier helps healthcare organizations and systems easily manage competency-based training to create high-performing teams and mitigate errors.
Conclusion
The challenges of preventable harm in healthcare are significant, yet they present a valuable opportunity for transformative progress. As we embrace digital solutions like #Dossier, healthcare organizations are becoming better equipped to manage competency-based training, which is fundamental in building high-performing teams and enhancing patient safety.
The commitment to ongoing professional development and training is not only essential but also a beacon of hope. By keeping pace with the latest evidence-based practices and patient safety guidelines, healthcare professionals are poised to make substantial strides in reducing errors and elevating care quality.
This journey toward improvement is already underway, marked by notable advancements in care coordination, medication safety, and error prevention. The future of healthcare looks bright, brimming with possibilities for further enhancements.
The collaborative efforts across the spectrum of healthcare organizations, technology providers, and dedicated professionals are instrumental in forging a safer and more efficient healthcare system. Moreover, empowering healthcare staff with the right tools and knowledge is more than just an enhancement of their skills—it’s a cultivation of a culture of safety and excellence in healthcare.
In conclusion, while the issue of preventable harm in healthcare is a pressing concern, the outlook is optimistic. With a focus on continuous improvement, technology adoption, and comprehensive training, the healthcare industry is steadily moving toward a future where patient safety and high-quality care are at the forefront, signaling a new era of healthcare excellence.
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Elsevier, a global leader in healthcare and scientific publishing, and Dossier, an innovative digital competency management provider, are excited to announce a strategic partnership to transform healthcare education and competency management. This collaboration combines Elsevier’s authoritative healthcare content with Dossier’s cutting-edge technology platform, offering an unparalleled solution to healthcare institutions worldwide.
The partnership marks a significant step toward advancing healthcare education and competency management standards. By integrating Elsevier’s comprehensive, evidence-based content into Dossier’s agile competency management system, this collaboration enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare professionals’ education and training, which provides reassurance to healthcare executives that care team members have the skills, judgment, knowledge, and behaviors for the tasks they perform. “Dossier shares our commitment to excellence in healthcare education,” said Jukka Välimäki, SVP Global Commercial at Elsevier. ”This partnership is a testament to Elsevier’s ongoing efforts and commitment to empowering healthcare professionals with trusted, evidence-based content. By combining our strengths with Dossier, we set a new benchmark in healthcare competency and continuing education.”
“Joining forces with Elsevier represents a significant milestone for Dossier,” said Geir Arnhoff, founder and CEO. ”Our shared vision of harnessing technology to enhance healthcare education will drive innovation and improve outcomes.
“This partnership broadens our reach and deepens our impact,” Arnhoff continued. “Together, we empower healthcare institutions by providing a comprehensive, digital tool to manage and track competency development.”
Benefits for Healthcare Institutions
The integrated solution offered by Elsevier and Dossier is set up to streamline clinical competency development based on the highest quality of content, reduce administrative burdens for educators, and provide real-time insights into the skill development of healthcare professionals. This partnership greatly benefits nursing directors, CNOs, and clinical educators, offering them an efficient digital tool to manage and easily ensure staff competencies and regulatory compliance.
About Elsevier
As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, academic leaders, funders, R&D-intensive corporations, doctors, and nurses.
About Dossier
Dossier is at the forefront of competency management technology. Dossier’s innovative platform helps healthcare institutions improve operational efficiencies, ensure compliance, and enhance staff productivity through effective and efficient competency management. dossier.com
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Quality improvement in healthcare is crucial to providing safe, effective, and patient-centered care. In recent years, the importance of competency programs has gained significant recognition as a catalyst for driving quality improvement in the healthcare industry. A strong competency program ensures that the healthcare workforce possesses the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to perform their roles efficiently.
This blog post explores the role of a robust competency program in enhancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes.
Standardizing Clinical Practices
A strong competency program establishes standardized clinical practices across healthcare organizations. It ensures all healthcare professionals adhere to evidence-based guidelines and best practices, thereby minimizing variations in care. The program helps reduce medical errors and adverse events by promoting a consistent approach to patient management, ultimately leading to improved patient safety and outcomes.
Identifying Skill Gaps
Competency assessments in healthcare identify individual and team skill gaps. Regular evaluations help pinpoint areas that require improvement, such as specific medical procedures, communication skills, or patient interaction. This process empowers healthcare professionals to address weaknesses proactively and seek additional training or mentoring to enhance their abilities.
Continual Learning and Development
A strong competency program fosters a culture of continual learning and professional development among healthcare staff. Encouraging ongoing education ensures that care team members stay updated with the latest medical advancements, technologies, and treatment modalities. The result is a workforce that remains adaptable, innovative, and capable of delivering high-quality care that aligns with current best practices.
Enhancing Patient Satisfaction
Competent and confident healthcare professionals contribute significantly to positive patient experiences. Patients feel more confident in their treatment plans when they receive care from skilled and knowledgeable providers, leading to increased trust and satisfaction. A satisfied patient is likelier to comply with treatment regimens, promoting better health outcomes and reduced readmissions.
Improving Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Competency programs often involve teamwork assessments, fostering better communication and collaboration among healthcare teams. Strong interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for coordinating care, particularly in complex cases and chronic disease management. When healthcare professionals understand and appreciate each other’s roles, they can work cohesively to provide comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s health.
Compliance with Regulatory Standards
Healthcare organizations must comply with various regulatory standards and accreditation requirements to ensure patient safety and quality of care. A robust competency program helps institutions meet these standards by ensuring that staff members are qualified and competent in their respective roles. This compliance helps avoid penalties and reflects a commitment to delivering top-notch healthcare services.
Data-Driven Quality Improvement
Competency programs generate valuable data on individual and team performance, which can be analyzed for trends and areas of improvement. Data-driven quality improvement initiatives allow healthcare organizations to effectively make evidence-based decisions and target resources. Healthcare organizations can continuously improve service delivery and patient outcomes by addressing deficiencies and enhancing strengths.
Conclusion
The significance of a robust competency program in healthcare must be considered. By establishing standardized practices, identifying and addressing skill gaps, promoting continual learning, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, these programs lay the foundation for improved patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality. Complying with regulatory standards and utilizing data-driven quality improvement initiatives further strengthens healthcare organizations’ capabilities to provide safe, effective, and patient-centric care.
Embracing and investing in competency programs is not merely a compliance requirement; it is a strategic decision that ensures healthcare professionals are well-prepared to meet the challenges of an ever-changing industry. By nurturing a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, these programs contribute to a more skilled, confident, and compassionate workforce, ultimately benefitting healthcare providers and their patients. As we look toward the future, a strong commitment to competency development will undoubtedly drive positive change and advancement in healthcare quality improvement.
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