Plan ahead to make in-services more powerful

When your nursing home plans its next in-service, follow the lead of Regency at Puyallup, WA Rehabilitation Center—which took the time to answer the following questions—to fine-tune your efforts and maximize the results.

Is training the answer?

The team identified many obstacles to improving high-risk pressure ulcer rates; education was not always the best solution. For example, their existing protocols were too complex to be effective even with a great deal of training.

Who should receive the training?

Regency had good pressure ulcer training for the licensed nurses. Yet, it did not create the kind of results they were expecting. They realized that the NACs, with their closer daily contact with the residents, could be the key.

How can the information be conveyed best?

Linda Whitman, RN, took an innovative approach to personalize the training. As a result, the NACs not only absorbed the training more readily, but have become empowered by their enhanced role. Tracy Backman, NAC, described several changes she’s made to help prevent pressure ulcers. “We come up with some ideas and pass them onto the nurses,” she reported.