SC30 The development and evaluation of the care & clinical skills assessment tool (CCAST) for use in all health and social settings across doncaster

Abstract

Background An established Clinical skills (CS) assessment tool had been used to assess competence in a range of clinical skills in an acute trust since 2009 and a local mental health trust since 2013. Simultaneously it became clear to clinical skills facilitators from both organisations a review of the existing tool was required due to feedback and anecdotal evidence of shortfalls in the tool’s adaptability as well as the licensing cost of the tool. The motivation for change remained to ensure use of an assessment tool which is structured, robust and reliable, and, ensures patient and staff safety is maintained when procedural skills are being performed. Summary Literature searches were performed, many existing tools were considered. The facilitator from the mental health trust shared her work with the acute trust and concluded working together on one tool would be an efficient approach and aid cross agency working. Following on from project work across Doncaster, personnel from primary and social care joined the collaboration to produce CCAST (Care and Clinical skills ASsessment Tool) suitable for use by all health and social care settings across the Doncaster footprint with the first meeting of all agencies in November 2017. Results Preliminary data from the roll out across the Mental Health Trust suggested an increased compliance with competence assessment and positive feedback regarding the ease of use of the tool. Following this pilot, changes were made in collaboration with all agencies. Discussion The pilot results revealed themes such as increased flexibility due to a broader scoring system; reduced subjectivity on the part of the assessor and the tool clearly shows achieved competence and areas for further growth Recommendation To implement CCAST across the Doncaster locality gathering data from the start. User feedback will be obtained via 1:1 interviews using purposive sampling of the assessments performed across all care settings. Findings will be reported at conference. Formal publication of this project work showing how one tool can be developed to be suitable for use in the assessment of competence in any skill in any health and social care setting enabling movement of staff between organisations with the assurance of level of competence and, demonstrating the benefits of joined working – ‘Maximising Impact’. References Dreyfus& Dreyfus Model discussed by Benner P. From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice 1984. Addison Wesley. Pendleton D, Schofield T, Tate P, Havelock P. The consultation: An approach to learning and teaching1982. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 68–72.