Effects of Two-Day Patient Safety Aide Training

Colman’s study reported that his hospital showed a 38 percent increase in preparedness of observers, as well as a 54 percent decrease in falls and an overall decrease in patient elopement5. The observers were clear on how to properly conduct their daily activities and how to be successful in what they do. If this were to become a national standard, health facilities everywhere could enjoy the same results.

Resources Needed for Two-Day Patient Safety Aide Training

In order to properly execute this training, facilities would need the following resources: an individual to supervise, conference rooms for training, medical units, designated trainers, and educational materials.

Why Training is Necessary

By utilizing this training, hospitals will maximize the efficiency of observers. By properly training observers, facilities will receive the most effective outcomes from their investment. Without a training system, observers have to figure out how to handle high- risk patients on their own. By having a standard that all observers adhere to, efficiency will be maximized and confusion will be lowered.

Clinical Experience Training

5 Colman, T. (2016). Improving Patient Safety through Patient Safety Aide (Sitter) Competency Education. Retrieved May 17,
2017, from http://gradworks.umi.com/10/11/10119184.html

Another training method used is a classroom/clinical hybrid. This program consists of four hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical training. As stated in Colman’s study, this method was utilized specifically in a unit for brain injury patients, but the technique could be mimicked on a broader scale. The training topics covered in this method included patient hygiene, mobility, safety issues, intake, output, observation, reporting, and initiating and supervising group activities.

This method provided patients with more cognitive stimulation and allowed staff who took on these positions to advance their skills, while providing more effective care. This method also improved nursing staff satisfaction, because it allowed them to be as efficient as possible in their own patient care functions. Overall, specific to the study, the brain injury unit reported an improved unit salary expense compared to units that did not implement this technique. (Colman, 2016)

Tele-Monitor Training

Tele-monitor training is a fast growing segment of observation for health facilities. Tele- monitoring is a technology-based method that allows a health facility employee to monitor a patient’s status via computer. Tele-monitoring allows the observer to safely observe multiple patients at once, while minimizing costs to the facility. Given that the method revolves around the use of technology, training for tele-monitor observers is different. The following are examples of training subjects that should be completed for tele-monitor observers:

  • Equipment proficiency training
  • Observation skills
  • CPR training
  • Credible de-escalation training program
  • HIPAA rules and guidelines
  • Customer service
  • Other cautions they may encounter: isolation, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment
    Bloodborne pathogens
  • Basic medical terminology
  • Catheter care, perineal care, and I/O measurements
  • Annual competency review
Recommendations

At a minimum, it is recommended that policies regarding training for observers do the following:

  • Clearly define the role of the sitter/observer
  • Recognize sitters/observers as an integral part of a patient care unit
  • Provide education to sitters on identifying, managing and preventing events of violent behavior
  • Remaining safe during violent events