Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue / staff wellness / OSH / retention)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Mak CK(1), Lam KK(1), Yip CK(1), Mak KC(1), To C(1), Ip MK(1), Yeung YM(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Rehabilitation and Extended Care, TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital
Introduction :
The RAISE VITALS Project was initiated amidst a critical nursing staff shortage to enhance the efficiency of nursing care by enabling Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) to utilize the E-Vital sign system. This strategic initiative reassigns the task of vital signs monitoring to PCAs, alleviating the workload of nurses and allowing them to concentrate on more critical aspects of care. The project also seeks to expedite the patient screening process through the E-Vital system, thus optimizing the clinical workflow.
This project introduces the pivotal role of Patient Care Assistant 1 (PCA1), an advancement from Patient Care Assistant 2 (PCA2). PCA1s are essential in merging advanced healthcare technology with direct patient care. The RAISE VITALS Project details the expanded responsibilities of PCA1s, with particular emphasis on their role in training PCA2s in the proficient use of E-Vital systems to improve patient care outcomes.
Objectives :
The main objective is to enhance PCA competency in using the E-Vital system for capturing and uploading vital signs during routine rounds and at patient admission, ensuring tasks are performed with precision and efficiency. This is crucial for upholding high standards of patient care.
A secondary goal is to develop a detailed training module that empowers PCA1s to navigate and disseminate knowledge of the E-Vital system to PCA2s, enabling them to identify and report any anomalies in vital signs to the nursing staff.
Methodology :
An "E-Vital Sign User Guide for PCA" was created, along with an "E-Vital System Usage Audit Form" to evaluate PCA accuracy in measuring vital signs and their ability to upload this data correctly to the CMS. PCA1s who passed this audit were tasked with training PCA2s. Prior to starting their instructional duties, PCA1s were assessed for their teaching abilities using an "Instructor Assessment Form," adapted from the 2016 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Classroom Course Evaluation. PCA2s were required to pass the audit by nurse, confirming their skill in accurately recording vital signs into the CMS and recognizing deviations that required nursing attention, before being authorized to independently use the E-Vital system. Post-training, PCAs received cue cards with normal vital sign ranges and a QR code linked to the user guide for quick reference.
Result & Outcome :
The implementation of the RAISE VITALS Project resulted in all PCAs competently uploading vital sign data, identifying irregularities, and effectively communicating these findings to the nursing team. PCA1s successfully completed the Instructor Assessment Form, demonstrating an effective training methodology. Subsequently, all PCAs were proficient in the independent operation of the E-Vital sign system, signifying a significant enhancement in the efficiency of nursing care delivery as a direct consequence of this initiative.
