North Cumbria Integrated Care improve their patient care
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) is an NHS foundation trust. The trust provides mental health services, community services, services for children and families and specialist services.
With approximately 4,000 staff to help and serve nearly 500,000 people across Cumbria, a solution for medical device training was essential after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The trust was authorized as a Foundation Trust on October 1st 2007, this authorization allows for them to still be part of the NHS but to have more freedom to decide how to deliver services locally.
We spoke to Yvonne Errington, Clinical Educator ICU/CIC and Paul Taylor, Medical devices training coordinator at North Cumbria Integrated Care.
Medical device training is essential for any healthcare providers. It is essential for providing staff the skills and knowledge to be able to use the equipment safely.
Providing high quality medical device training allows for quality care for patients, ensuring they receive the best care possible.
We wanted to develop a system that was easily accessible to the staff with good quality training on board that was in one place.
Lacking structure and reliability
There are many kinds of equipment used in the medical field, no more so than in intensive care units. From ventilators and monitors to pumps designed to deliver life-saving drugs, the training requirement is substantial.
Each piece of equipment plays a crucial role in patient care, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support to stabilize and recover.
For this reason, the nurses' knowledge base needs to be extensive, encompassing the operation and troubleshooting of these devices.
This comprehensive understanding gives them the confidence to handle all patients' needs, regardless of the complexity or urgency of the situation and to provide the highest quality of care.
Previously, a paper based system was utilized to manage training. This, however, was difficult to organize and keep up to date. When the Covid-19 pandemic prompted a historic shock to the globe, these systems became increasingly unreliable. Training was eliminated due to the close proximities needed and staff missed out on training opportunities due to isolating.
So, how did North Cumbria Integrated Care ensure staff were efficiently trained for maximum patient safety?
Enhancing patient experience
Ideagen has streamlined processes to ensure patients receive faster, more personalized care, improving overall satisfaction and outcomes.
Accessibility
Providing employees with the right training is key to growth in healthcare. Easy-to-use platforms help professionals enhance skills, stay current and deliver better patient care.
Improving efficiency
Ideagen has optimized workflows and reduced administrative burdens, enabling healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.
Uplifting employees’ wellbeing
Through better tools and support systems, Ideagen has helped create a healthier, more balanced work environment for healthcare staff.
We are keeping patients safe and in effect saving lives.
High quality care
Using Ideagen solutions, North Cumbria Integrated Care was able to fully customize their training platform to cater to specialized equipment and prepare for upcoming inspections. This customization ensured that the training materials were relevant and specific to their needs, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the training provided.
Ideagen enabled them to efficiently track staff training and compliance through comprehensive data and analytics, allowing for the easy identification of gaps in knowledge that could be addressed promptly.
The training platform is accessible on any device, whether it's a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone and consolidates all necessary resources in one place for ease and speed.
This convenience means that employees can spend more time on patient-facing work, as they can complete their training according to their own schedules.
This flexibility is invaluable in accommodating the busy and often unpredictable nature of healthcare work.
It's improved the trust board confidence in the staff being trained on the equipment they are using.
75% of staff are fully compliant and trained at North Cumbria Integrated Care. This remaining 25% is due to staff sickness and maternity leave.
Employee benefits
Staying current with training on a high-tech system significantly boosted employee morale at North Cumbria Integrated Care. As confidence grew, staff became more comfortable using the advanced equipment, allowing them to dedicate more energy to providing the best possible care for patients. This shift not only improved the quality of care but also enhanced job satisfaction among the staff. With quick and efficient training, facilitated by the easy accessibility of the platforms, managing time became increasingly easier.
The system's user-friendly nature reduced training time, enabling nurses to focus more on their core responsibilities.
This robust system empowers North Cumbria Integrated Care nurses to perform their roles with increased safety and confidence, ultimately ensuring maximum patient safety and comfort. Additionally, the ongoing support and updates provided by the tech system contribute to a continuously evolving workplace, keeping the staff engaged and motivated.