What is the primary objective of the program?
The Joint Commission Sentinel Event database shows that communication is cited as a root cause in nearly 70 percent of reported sentinel events, surpassing other commonly identified issues such as staff orientation and training, patient assessment and staffing. Consequently, the objective of the project is to help healthcare organizations best understand where communication problems and challenges exist within their organization and to provide tools and resources for internal training to address those problem areas.
What content areas does it cover?
All content will be around communication issues, primarily clinician to clinician. The intent of the content covered is to provide as many real world examples and best practices as possible.
What is the training format?
The training format is currently in development and may include one face to face program (not to exceed two days time), distance learning methods (audio-internet conferences and/or CD ROMs) and additional on site training for some of the beta sites.
Will any of the information identified during the training process affect our next Joint Commission Survey or accreditation standing?
This project is not connected to the Joint Commission accreditation process, including the ORYX and CORE measure initiative. However, the participant is in no way discouraged from using project data for its own quality improvement activities and may, at its discretion, show the data to Joint Commission surveyors as evidence of improvement efforts. All study information will be confidentially maintained within Joint Commission Resources and no organization-specific information will be known to anyone other than project staff.
How much time should each beta test site coordinator plan to allocate to the project?
We anticipate approximately 60-80 hours, but it depends on how the curricular plan evolves.
How much clinical time will this project involve?
Approximately 40 hours.
Does the lead clinician need to be a physician or can it be a nurse?
Lead clinician could be either a physician or a nurse, but the project should focus around communication issues between all clinicians, so both would ultimately be involved.
Is there a fee to participate?
No, there is no fee to participate.
Does the project involve training a hospital trainer or does the project group come onsite to provide the training?
The intent of the program is to train one person (most likely the project lead contact) and arm them with best practices and proven effective industry models with which to train internally. We may visit one of more beta test site to help deliver training, at the organization's request.
Can we limit the participation on our hospital(s) to certain departments?
Yes, in fact, this is preferable. It allows a more focused look at internal communication processes and better tracking of results over time. The departments involved in the project must first be cleared with Joint Commission Resources to ensure that critical communication vehicles within your organization are covered.
Will this require any travel?
Most instruction will be conducted via distance learning. Some face to face training will most likely take place at the Joint Commission Headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
Will there be a prescriptive training program for all the hospitals involved?
Only you understand your culture best. We will be taking you through the process, but our intention is to provide a variety of tools from which you can chose that will best fit your organization's culture and needs.
How will the CEO, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer be involved in the project?
We will have conference calls with the executive staffs of each hospital or health system directly. At that time, we will discuss the project, its scope and answer any questions they may have. We plan to conduct a conference call with all beta site coordinators in late June or Early July, prior to contacting your executive team.
Will this program complement or duplicate any other safety projects, "crew" simulation project or STEPP project going on in our organization?
Our intent is that the content of this program will be complementary rather than duplicative.