Hospital staff benefit from Safe Critically Ill Transfer Training

Staff from Intensive care in simulation

THE Simulation & Skills Centre is hosting a rolling programme of Safe Critically Ill Transfer Training (SCITT) courses for all staff involved in critically ill patient transfer in or out of hospital.

SCITT is a multidisciplinary training programme developed and accredited by North West Critical Care Networks to support clinical staff that have a role in the preparation, packaging and movement of critically ill adults such as intensive care, cardiac intensive care, accident and emergency and theatre staff.

The course director is Dr Jason Cupitt, Consultant in Intensive Care, and is delivered by a faculty of staff experienced in patient transfer.

Staff who work in ICU, CITU, A&E or Theatres are able to book on to the one day training course which covers issues around patient transfer such as safety, human factors, effective communication and equipment familiarisation.

There is also the opportunity to meet an experienced paramedic from North West Ambulance Service who will assist staff to familiarise themselves with a front line ambulance.  Staff also have the opportunity to practice their skills through simulation scenarios.

Mark Hatch, Simulation Lead, said: “It is important for staff to practice their safe transfer skills in simulation because all members of an ICU team will transfer patients. The north- west has accredited the course to enhance patient care.

“Some staff on the course will have had small amounts of experience in transferring patients. The training is about building on knowledge, and using the equipment and resources available for safe training.

“Similar courses are run throughout the north-west, with a variation of training. Our courses started in December 2016; however it was initially set up in Preston, with Mike Dickinson starting up the course at Blackpool.

“Our programme is a rolling programme, and we are offering one session a month. It is voluntary for staff to attend, they will gain CPD points and complete through a log book”.

Andrew Henson, Practice Development Charge Nurse in Critical Care who facilitates the SCITT training added: “We are providing the essential basic understanding of transporting patients. We have simulation scenarios to minimise problems and to highlight any dangers to patients.

“This will help our staff to feel more confident in their ability to carry out the tasks in the correct way, due to the learning they can now put into their own practice.

“Moving critically ill patients can be difficult, and we are here to support staff in their skills to perform well in their emergency settings.

“We want to encourage collaboration and draw awareness to some of the issues teams may have when transferring patients”.

The next SCITT course is on December 1st 2017. Sessions will be run monthly in 2018.

For details please contact your local Practice Development Team, or Mark Hatch (ext 56891) Mark.Hatch@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk.

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