Authors (including presenting author) :
Lee WM(1), Chiu GS(1), Tsang SY(1), Cheung SC(1), Chan KM(1), Chan CY(1), Leung SY(1), Chow SYP(1), Chan WY(1), Chiu MWT(1), Sin KW(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
Certain training and practice gaps in neonatal transportation were identified, such as staff unfamiliarity with new transportation equipment, deficit in updated knowledge of transporting intubated neonates, out-of-date transportation documentation, ineffective team coordination in safe transfer of baby between transportation and bed units, fragmented resource information and insufficient resource nurses.
Objectives :
A structured training program was conducted between January and September 2021 to equip a team of 10 experienced PNICU nurses to be trainer and resource nurse in neonatal transportation, and to enhance staff knowledge and competence in neonatal transportation.
Methodology :
A train-the-trainer program was first arranged to train resource nurses as trainers through attending mandatory e-learning modules and obtaining a certificate, briefing by equipment specialist, and passing competency assessment by returned demonstration on operation of transportation units to nurse consultant, and to take up preparatory work in developing resource materials, competency assessment checklist, transportation documentation, new standardized transfer sequence and workshop scenarios. In part 1 – Know the transportation system, staff became familiar with the transportation system via attending online training to get a certificate and passing competency assessment by returned demonstration to designated trainer. In part 2 – Simulation workshop, staff learnt how to maintain effective team coordination and troubleshoot sudden deterioration through scenario-based workshop and debriefing. All training materials were vetted by neonatal team heads who were instructors of HA neonatal transportation simulation training.
Result & Outcome :
Staff competency in neonatal transportation increased as 111/123 (90%) of staff completed part 1 and 83/111 (75%) of staff with at least 2 years of experience who had the prerequisite of passing part 1 participated in part 2, 7 residents joined simulation workshop to improve communication and teamwork, staff evaluation on simulation workshop was positive. Common misconceptions or errors identified during workshop were clarified and discussed during debriefing, including how to choose appropriate transportation systems and prevent baby from hypothermia/hyperthermia, as well as the importance of using humidvent and EtCO2 monitoring for intubated baby, and turning on ventilator before transferring baby. Conclusion: Sustainability of staff training on neonatal transportation can be promoted via refresher training program with replicated methodology and video-taping new training materials. Compliance on applying the learnt knowledge and using new transportation documentation in daily practice will further be reinforced.
