Owen Hammett - Bigger picture.

Abstract

WITH THE development of more diverse workforces in emergency departments (EDs), it is becoming increasingly difficult for patients to identify who is looking after them and to what profession they belong. Hospitals differ in their uniform policies and also the terms used to distinguish between grades of nurse and healthcare assistant (HCA) staff. This can also be said for our medical and allied health professional colleagues. With constant changeovers in staff, such variation can leave patients and relatives confused. Whether doctors, nurses or HCAs, it can often be difficult to distinguish the grade and competencies of those in the care team. A number of hospitals across the country, including ours, have introduced colour-coded lanyards, with each lanyard showing the grade and profession of the member of staff wearing it, to solve this problem. A medical colleague of mine introduced this system in the ED to allow patients and their relatives to be able to recognise easily who is treating and caring for them. It has also helped members of the mixed workforce to understand the competency levels in the nursing group. The nursing lanyards divide the professional group by clinical and operational competencies so that, once nurses have completed their emergency nurse competencies, they can wear a lanyard that signifies this achievement and their ability to work in all areas of the department. Band 5 emergency nurses wear royal blue lanyards, band 6 senior emergency nurses wear navy blue, and band 7s, including consultant nurses, wear red. There is a similar code for doctors, while HCAs wear black. This distinction has provided a platform for those yet to be signed off as emergency nurses to strive to achieve the competencies required. Employing this simple intervention in your department may provide staff with the motivation they need to achieve the required specialism competencies and to continue to provide high quality, evidence-based care. It can also improve communication with patients and relatives as it clarifies the role and competencies of those who are caring from them. From Cradle to Grave: The History of the NHS 1948-1987 (Part 1) and 1988 onwards (Part 2) Geoffrey Rivett Blurb Books £19.69 and £17.59 | 410pp and 340pp No ISBN numbers