Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented by Lynda Enos, RN, BSN, MS, COHN-S, CPE

Ergonomics Consultant, HumanFit, LLC.

Tel: 503-655-3308

Email: HumanFit@aol.comPresented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Management Commitment (visible program champion) Employee Involvement (inc. Labor) A Business Plan (strategic & tactical) Program Management (program facilitator) Worksite Analysis Hazard Prevention & Control (SPH equipment and safe

work practices) Education & Training Disability Management (After Action Review) Culture (Behavior change re equipment use and sensitivity)

Planning for Sustainability

Components of Sustainable & Effective Safe Patient Handling Programs

Multifaceted programs are more effective than any single intervention.

(NIOSH, 1997; OSHA 1991 & 2003; VAH 2010)

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Unit based champion programs play a key role in sustaining patient and staff safety initiatives and programs

A unit base champion is a staff person that: Has advanced training and expertise about a

specific safety issue e.g. using patient handling equipment and best work practices

Supports the facility and the unit leadership to meet program goals e.g. successful implementation and maintenance of the SPH program

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

A unit base champion assists to meet the SPH program goals by: Assisting to integrate evidence based practice that

achieves effective and safe care and thereby facilitating culture change on a unit

Acting as a leader, mentor, advocate to promote and raise the collective awareness of a program e.g. SPH to peers and other staff

Performing as a coach that will demonstrate and assist coworkers in using patient handling equipment and troubleshoot issues

Advocating new ideas or initiatives and working diligently to promote them.

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Evidence base supporting the use of unit based champion programs:– Skin champions– Patient safety champions– Safe patient handling– Other industries

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Challenges With Implementing and Sustaining a Champion Program

Recruitment and retention

Time for education/training

Time to perform champion activities

Resources to manage/support a champion group

Keeping the program ‘fresh’

6Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Champion Program Structure

Unit based– At least 1 champion per shift– Could be RNs and CNAs on patient care units– Technicians e.g. for Imaging depts.– Transporters

Facility Wide – May be beneficial for larger hospitals

Must have clearly defined program plan and management, champion roles and responsibilities

7Unit Based Safety Leader/Champions

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Characteristics of Effective Champions

Creative, energetic, and enthusiastic about champion role

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to influence others to practice evidence-based care/serves as a role model (is respected by peers on unit)

8Unit Based Safety Leader/Champions

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Characteristics of Effective Champions

Is willing to take the time to educate, elicit feedback from, and provide regular updates to unit staff members about the SPH program and progress on the unit

Recognized as credible by those with whom they work and senior management

(Bergquist-Beringer et al 2009)

May have had a previous work related injury from patient handling

9Unit Based Safety Leader/Champions

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Recruiting Champions

Hand picked by SPH or Safety coordinator and/or unit managers or volunteers (preferred)

Recruit at staff training for SPH

and/or unit staff meetings

Be careful if choosing staff who are already volunteered for many committees of other champion roles

Define role and ‘what is the benefit for them’

10Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Training Competency based

Example– Foundation and evidence base for SPH– Facility SPH program/policy information– How to teach and coach– Hands on equipment training– Return demonstration and teaching of other

champions in class– Assist to teach a staff SPH class with trainer– Follow-up by SPH coordinator on unit to review

skills, processes and answer questions

11Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Activities PerformedExample from SPH programs

Review safe and appropriate use of SPH equipment and processes with new and existing unit staff

Coaching staff and review use of SPH processes e.g.,– Patient assessment tools– Documentation and communications

Assist to design SPH marketing initiatives on unit to facilitate staff engagement in program

12Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Activities Performed Example from SPH programs

Troubleshoot equipment & supply issues e.g. lift battery is dead, lift slings needed

Conduct ‘real time’ competency based audits of equipment use, processes and patient experience

Identify barriers to equipment use

Actively participate in Daily Safety Huddles

13Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Activities PerformedExample from SPH programs

May be involved in after Action Review of patient handling related injuries on the unit

Assist staff and unit leaders to address specific SPH related issues e.g. safe care of a dependent bariatric patient

Educates patients, families and other non unit staff about the SPH program and use of equipment

Communicate ideas/program feedback to unit leader, SPH coordinator, committees etc.

14Unit Based Safety Leader/Champion Programs

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Ongoing Champion Support

Give the safety champion the power to come up with quick solutions to certain problems, such as getting equipment fixed or replaced.

Champion group meetings

Linkage to other champion groups

Regular communications– Email group– Newsletter– Rounding by SPH coordinator

15Unit Based Safety Leader/Champions

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Ongoing Champion Support

Periodic Refresher training

Periodic review of champion effectiveness

Recognition & celebration of successes unit/facility wide

16Unit Based Safety Leader/Champions

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

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Questions & Discussion

Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Selected References

Bergquist-Beringer et al (2009). Embracing the use of skin care champions. Nursing Management, 40(12): 19-24

Champions Improve Staff Education and Compliance with Pressure Ulcer Prevention Strategies (2013). Onslow Memorial HospitalJacksonville, North Carolina, USA

and

Appoint a Safety Champion for Every Unit (2014). Retrieved from the Institute for Health Care Improvement http://www.ihi.org

Nelson, A. Matz M, Chen F, Siddharthan K , Lloyd J, Fragala G (2006). Development and Evaluation of a Multifaceted Ergonomics Program to Prevent Injuries Associated with Patient Handling Tasks. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43(6):717–733.

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14

Reproduced with permission from HumanFit, LLC © 2014.

Selected References

Patient Care Ergonomics Resource Guide: Safe patient

handling and movement. Nelson, A.L. (Ed). (2001 rev 2005).

Tampa, FL: Veterans Administration Patient Safety Center of

Inquiry.

Safe Patient Handling and Movement: A Practical Guide For

Health Care Professionals (2006). Audrey Nelson Editor.

Springer Publishing http://www.springerpub.com/

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 2010-032 June 28, 2010 - Safe Patient Handling Program and Facility Design

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Presented at Washington State Hospital Association LEAPT – Hospital and Worker Culture of Safety Meeting 7/18/14