Comprehensive Staff Training Research Articles

Exploring autism-friendly initiatives in Australian airports: ‘A lot better than a lot of airports that I’ve experienced’

ABSTRACT This study examines the effectiveness of autism-friendly initiatives implemented at two major Australian airports: Sydney and Gold Coast. As accessible air travel is essential for the social inclusion of Autistic individuals, ensuring that airports meet their specific needs is critical. Focusing on the lived experiences of Autistic adults and parents of Autistic children, the research seeks to assess how well these initiatives align with the needs of Autistic travellers and to identify any opportunities to further enhance airport accessibility. Through reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with 13 participants, the study generated themes related to persistent sensory challenges, the importance of planning and accessible quiet spaces, and the significant benefits associated with the Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard. Although participants acknowledged the strides made in improving accessibility, they also highlighted areas that would benefit from further attention, particularly in communication and proactive support from airport personnel. The findings emphasise the pivotal role airports play in either facilitating or hindering the travel experiences and opportunities of Autistic individuals. The study concludes with a call for policy and practice reforms, advocating for the broader implementation of standardised autism-friendly initiatives and comprehensive staff training to ensure a consistently supportive environment for Autistic travellers.

WP8.3 - "Effectiveness of Malnutrition Screen and Interventions for Surgical Inpatients - A MUST Score Based Audit"

Abstract Malnutrition significantly impacts surgical inpatients, affecting outcomes like infection rates, hospital stays, and wound healing. This audit evaluates the effectiveness of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) in identifying at-risk surgical inpatients and examines the subsequent interventions and nutrition assessments. Our prospective audit encompassed surgical inpatients admitted for elective procedures or via the emergency department. Data were collected through patient records and medical charts, focusing on MUST score completion, accuracy, and updates. The audit assessed staff training, consistency in scoring, and the quality of nutrition interventions documented by dietitians. Key findings revealed a high completion rate (83.3%) of MUST scores but identified significant inaccuracies due to insufficient consideration of BMI, weight loss, and acute disease effect. Only a minor percentage (15.6%) of patients had their MUST scores updated. Staff training inadequacies and inconsistent scoring practices were noted. Despite these limitations, clinical teams effectively identified at-risk patients using their judgment and promptly initiated interventions. A malnutrition awareness week was organised with the dieticians, and teaching sessions were conducted for the healthcare staff to enhance understanding and application of the MUST tool. This initiative aimed to raise awareness and improve the quality of malnutrition screening and management. The audit highlights the need for improved accuracy in MUST scoring, enhanced staff training, and ongoing professional development. Recommendations include comprehensive staff training, standardized documentation processes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient and family education. This audit underscores the importance of accurate malnutrition screening and effective interventions to improve patient care quality for surgical inpatients. It calls for action plans to address the identified gaps, thereby enhancing malnutrition management within healthcare settings.

Hospital management and challenges during COVID-19 outbreaks: lessons from a level 1 hospital in the southeast of Iran-case study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented unparalleled challenges to hospitals globally, particularly those in resource-limited settings. This case study elucidates the experiences and lessons from managing a 40-bed public hospital in Rask, Iran, during the pandemic.MethodsData were gathered through focus group discussions with the management team and key informants, supplemented by document analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to discern key themes and subthemes related to the challenges encountered and solutions implemented by the hospital.ResultsThe study underscores the necessity of a dynamic management team, effective external stakeholder communication, staff involvement in decision-making, and establishing connections with pre-hospital care units. It also emphasizes the need for adaptable protocols, comprehensive staff training, and infrastructure enhancements. Despite these strategies, the hospital grappled with unresolved issues such as inadequate disaster planning, ethical dilemmas, and poor inter-hospital coordination.ConclusionThis case study offers insights into managing a small hospital in a resource-limited setting during a health crisis, highlighting the importance of effective leadership, staff support, infrastructural flexibility, and community engagement. The lessons gleaned can guide the development of context-specific strategies to bolster the resilience and preparedness of similar hospitals. Further research is warranted to assess the long-term impacts of the pandemic on these hospitals and to explore the perspectives of frontline staff, patients, and families for a more comprehensive understanding of effective hospital management during health disasters.

The Role of Comprehensive Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems in Achieving High Retention Rates

High client retention rates were crucial for maintaining growth and profitability in today's competitive business world. CRM solutions played a crucial role in facilitating the effective management of client contacts across several channels for organisations. These systems integrate consumer data and streamline procedures, offering a cohesive perspective of customer interactions and preferences. This paper examined how complete CRM systems may improve customer retention via personalised experiences, streamlined sales processes, and data analytics for informed decision-making. Although the advantages of CRM systems are clear, there are still obstacles to overcome, including data integration, expensive installation expenses, and ongoing adaptation and staff training. The research examined a comprehensive knowledge of CRM utilisation and its influence on customer retention. The results emphasised the significance of a well-planned deployment of customer relationship management (CRM) in promoting customer loyalty, enhancing operational effectiveness, and increasing revenue generation. Suggested strategies for firms include allocating resources towards data integration, providing comprehensive staff training, implementing continuous improvement practices, using sophisticated analytics, and cultivating a customer-centric culture. Keywords: Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Retention, Data Integration, Personalised Customer Experience, Sales Force Automation (SFA).

Revolutionizing Hospital Operations: A Comprehensive Analysis of Hospital Management System Implementation

Hospital Management System (HMS) technology will transform hospital operations. This summary summarizes HMS implementation's main components, goals, advantages, and drawbacks. Patient registration, appointment scheduling, EMR, billing, inventory management, and analytics are integrated into the HMS. Its main goal is to improve hospital efficiency, automate operations, and centralize information management. Implementing an HMS improves patient care by providing rapid access to precise information, operational efficiency, financial procedures, and data accuracy. The challenges include comprehensive staff training, strong data security, and smooth healthcare system connection. Healthcare organizations are developing digitally, making the hospital administration system essential for patient outcomes and hospital administration

Innovation in hospital pharmacy: Modeling the installation of automated dispensing systems based on an oncology hospital experience transfer.

This study explores automated dispensing systems (ADS) implementation in hospitals, focusing on experience transfer between the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat (NIO) and the specialties hospital of Rabat (SHR) to develop a transferable ADS installation and management model. A retrospective implementation and experience data analysis of 3 years ADS implementation at NIO and a prospective planification for SHR new implementation on 6 months were employed. Data collection included pharmacist team reports, personnel interviews, direct observations, and information system data exports. The study focused on identifying challenges a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. The analysis revealed overestimation in ADS needs at NIO about 42%, leading to: Resource exhaustion; Challenges in timeline installation staff training and management, Disruptions in data integration and Incident Reports. These issues underscored the importance of a phased, well-planned implementation process. The study highlighted the crucial role of many comprehensive strategies. In accordance with the results of several studies, this work demonstrates the benefits of ADS in reducing medication errors and enhancing resource management, while also pointing out the necessity for accurate system sizing, effective integration with hospital information systems, and comprehensive staff training. The experience transfer between NIO and SHR provides a valuable model for ADS implementation in hospital pharmacies, proposing optimizations on: Implementation process; Timelines and mapping; Risk management and incident reports; Staff training, sensibilization and change control.

The Transformative Power of Artificial Intelligence in Banking Client Service

The financial industry is experiencing a paradigm shift driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This manuscript delves into the profound impact of AI on banking client services, exploring how it revolutionizes the industry. As banks strive to elevate customer experiences, reduce operational costs, and maintain their competitive edge, AI emerges as a critical enabler. This study employs a mixed-method research approach to comprehensively investigate the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on client service in the banking sector. To test the hypothesis, we conducted a regression analysis with customer satisfaction as the dependent variable and AI integration and operational efficiency as independent variables. The results demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between AI integration and customer satisfaction (β = 0.632, p < 0.001). The research reveals that clients perceive a moderate level of AI integration into banking operations, with room for further enhancement. Notably, clients express high satisfaction with AI-enhanced services, underscoring its positive influence, as corroborated by existing literature. Recommendations emphasize strategic actions to maximize AI's potential: augmenting AI integration beyond chatbots to encompass predictive analytics and fraud detection, initiating customer education programs to familiarize clients with AI-powered services, prioritizing data privacy and security measures, and providing comprehensive staff training in AI ethics and customer interaction. In conclusion, "The Transformative Power of Artificial Intelligence in Banking Client Service" serves as a timely guide for banking professionals, policymakers, and researchers eager to harness AI's potential for the betterment of the financial industry and its clients. This research paints a compelling picture of how AI is reshaping the future of banking, offering insights into its transformative capacity. As AI continues to evolve, this manuscript provides a roadmap for financial institutions, highlighting the need to adapt, collaborate, and strategize effectively to thrive in the rapidly changing landscape.

Exploring the World of Smart Prisons: Barriers, Trends, and Sustainable Solutions

The world of smart prisons is gaining momentum despite receiving limited attention due to the ability to maintain social order and reduce crime rates. Therefore, this research aims to synthesize the current knowledge of smart prisons, identify barriers to trend technologies, and provide valuable insights for practitioners, and policymakers. The systematic literature review (SLR) method by Kitchenham was used to collect data from Scopus from 2007 to 2023, which comprised 59 articles in the final phase. The high cost of smart technology, ineffective technology design, poor management, aging facilities, increased violence, ethical concerns, and lots more, were some of the barriers associated with the topic. The study highlights the need for targeted strategies, such as cost‐benefit analyses, phased implementation, and comprehensive staff training, to overcome these barriers. The study also reveals varied approaches to smart prison adoption across countries, influenced by differences in economic resources and policy frameworks. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous evaluation, international collaboration, and adherence to ethical standards to sustain smart prison development. The result showed that smart prisons are important in the field of corrections.

Challenges and Opportunities of Emergency Remote Teaching: Linguistic Analysis on School Directors’ Interviews

This research delves into the experiences of primary school directors during the abrupt transition to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through semi-structured interviews, the organization and implementation of online classes, associated challenges, and potential improvements were scrutinized. Findings underscored a lack of preparedness, yet acknowledged ERT as a vital tool during the crisis. Recommendations included the improvement of technological support, designing a well-planned strategy, creating appropriate teaching content, comprehensive staff training, and tailoring the educational content to fit students’ learning styles or special needs. A Linguistic Text Analysis approach, employing word clouds, treemaps, and sentiment analysis charts to graphically depict complex patterns in the data, enriched our understanding of the ERT transition, shedding light on subtler nuances and insights. This study contributes valuable knowledge, offering a roadmap for the future development of robust, flexible, and inclusive educational policies and practices, particularly in crisis situations. The dataset is an invaluable asset for policymakers, providing critical insights and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise.

Scoping Literature Review: Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults, With Diagnoses of Dementia, Who Use Residential Long-Term Services and Supports.

The number of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults utilizing residential long-term supports and services (LTSS) will increase in the forthcoming decades. Paradoxically, while requiring more LTSS services than their non-SGM counterparts, SGM older adults are less likely to access these services, partly due to fears of discrimination. Furthermore, SGM older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) present unique challenges and opportunities for LTSS facilities. This article provides a scoping review on the intersection between experiences of SGM older adults with AD/ADRD who use residential LTSS. This review identified three themes: (1) the experiences of discrimination among SGM residents in LTSS facilities, (2) the need for comprehensive staff training in residential LTSS to ensure proper care of SGM populations, and (3) the crucial role of inclusive facility policies. As the number of SGM older adults is expected to increase, further research is necessary.

Perioperative Nutritional Support by a Multidisciplinary Team for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer surgery is a highly invasive procedure, and a multidisciplinary team approach is crucial for safe perioperative management of patients without complications. The Hamamatsu Perioperative Care Team (HOPE) has been established, which is a multidisciplinary team that promotes safer and more reliable perioperative care. HOPE has proven effective in preventing post-esophagectomy pneumonia and weight loss. Currently, HOPE is being developed through comprehensive staff training and the implementation of innovative features, including treatment diaries and wearable fitness trackers. This article explores the benefits of collaborative medical practices and the future objectives of HOPE, whilst also examining the progress of perioperative team medicine in Japan.

Integration of Mental Health Promotion Strategies Within Physical Education Curricula

The present study investigated the incorporation of mental health promotion techniques within physical education curricula, as well as the influence of school policies in addressing the mental health needs of students. The sample predominantly comprised male physical education instructors between the ages of 31 and 40, who possessed 11 to 20 years of teaching experience. The results of the study indicated a uniform degree of integration among physical education instructors across various age and experience cohorts. This finding implies the significance of incorporating continuous mental health education within physical education curricula, however there were observed discrepancies across distinct domains. Significantly, the domain of social and emotional learning had comparatively lower scores, hence highlighting the necessity for focused enhancements in these specific aspects. Educators played a pivotal part in modifying their instructional approaches to cater to the mental health requirements of their students. The proponents placed significant emphasis on the principles of individualization, emotional management, and value-oriented pedagogy. The emergence of school policies also played a crucial role. The policies should prioritize the implementation of strategies, comprehensive staff training, the utilization of diverse educational techniques, active collaboration with parents, the provision of extracurricular activities, the availability of psychological counseling services, the integration of ideological perspectives, and the adoption of a student-centered approach.

Improving sleep using mentored behavioral and environmental restructuring (SLUMBER): A randomized stepped-wedge design trial to evaluate a comprehensive sleep intervention in skilled nursing facilities

IntroductionPoor sleep is ubiquitous in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and is associated with a myriad of negative symptoms. Non-pharmacological interventions can improve sleep, yet sustainability has not been demonstrated. The Improving Sleep Using Mentored Behavioral and Environmental Restructuring (SLUMBER) trial will test whether a staff mentoring approach to address resident sleep issues positively impacts sleep quality and whether improved sleep benefits mood, cognitive performance, and activity engagement for residents living in SNFs. InterventionThis is a four-year hybrid type I effectiveness/implementation randomized stepped-wedge trial using a comprehensive sleep improvement program conducted in three urban SNFs. MethodsWe will provide SNF staff with sleep promotion strategies over a four-month intervention. Staff will have access to in-person workshops, webinars, weekly sleep pearls via text messaging, environmental data, and expert program mentors. We will consent residents for data collection (at baseline, end of intervention, and three- and six-months post-intervention) including resident observations, questionnaires, and wrist actigraphy (to objectively measure sleep). We will also use selected Minimum Data Set 3.0 (MDS) measures. ConclusionSLUMBER uses a unique strategy to iteratively improve sleep interventions through SNF staff buy-in, expert mentoring, and technological supports within a quality improvement framework. As a stepped-wedge trial, the initial SNF units provide opportunities for program improvement in subsequent units, accounting for variation across resident populations at different sites. Protocol limitations include strategies which may require substantial customization for greater spread. A comprehensive staff training program that addresses both sleep quality and related symptoms has the opportunity for considerable dissemination.Trial registration: USGOV Clinical Trials ID: NCT03327324

Optimizing the Management of Medical Information Technology: Best Practices and Innovations

Medical Information Technology (MedIT) has become indispensable in contemporary healthcare, presenting transformative possibilities ranging from improved patient care to efficient hospital management. However, optimizing its potential necessitates a clear understanding and effective management of its multifaceted components. This article elucidates key strategies and innovative practices pivotal for the proficient management of MedIT. Notably, it underscores the significance of streamlined Electronic Health Records (EHRs), emphasizing their customization, accessibility, and mobile compatibility. Furthermore, the article accentuates the growing role of telehealth, especially its versatility in offering both regular and emergency services. The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in predicting patient needs, customizing treatments, and real-time reporting is highlighted. Importantly, amidst digitalization, the article prioritizes cybersecurity, emphasizing regular audits, comprehensive staff training, and the need for swift incident response plans. The narrative promotes system interoperability, endorsing universally recognized data protocols and ensuring hassle-free patient data mobility. It also advocates for the continuous professional development of healthcare personnel through MedIT workshops and e-learning platforms. Lastly, it champions patient-centricity by enhancing patient portals with interactive features and real-time communication tools, and by integrating adaptable cloud solutions for better data management.

The Beneficial Effects of the Buttonhole Technique Used for the Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistula Among Hemodialysis Patients: A Literature Review

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a “life-line” for hemodialysis patients. Complications associated with AVF cannulation including the occurrence of vessel stenosis and formation of false aneurysms can substantially shorten the length of AVF survival and its utilization. To minimize the damages to vessel walls of AVF, various needling techniques involving the utilization of sharp or blunt needles, and rotating puncture sites are applied in clinical practice. The buttonhole cannulation (BHC) method appears to be a successful technique to solve the problem of puncturing difficult AVFs. However, it is controversial whether BHC should be extended widely to actual practice to generate further beneficial effects or be restricted in clinical use due to a higher risk of adverse AVF complications. This review reports and elaborates on the methods used to create BHC tunnels, the effects of BHC on patient outcomes compared with other cannulation techniques with regard to both objective and subjective aspects, the advantages and disadvantages of BHC, and the measures for improving BHC. According to the published literature, utilizing BHC for AVF cannulation can effectively prevent the complications associated with AVF, while formulating and implementing the standardized BHC procedure, together with comprehensive staff training and self-management education for patients, can substantially reduce the risk of infection. Future studies with rigorous design need to investigate the long-term effects and strengthen the existing evidence regarding the utilization of BHC.

Developing and Implementing a School-led Motor Intervention for Children with Handwriting Difficulties

ABSTRACT We describe the development of an evidence-based motor intervention and an implementation pilot study in ten primary schools, involving 515 children (4–11 years). ‘Helping Handwriting SHINE’ (HHS) is a novel, school-led, group-based handwriting intervention. Teaching staff delivered HHS and provided feedback through a questionnaire, reporting that: (i) the children found the tasks enjoyable; (ii) the background and booklet instructions were easy to understand, (iii) there was a need for more comprehensive staff training. The teaching staff made recommendations about session duration, group size, resource availability, and age differentiation of tasks. These suggestions are applicable to the development of any school-based group-led motor intervention, and we used this feedback to refine the HHS intervention. This study shows that implementing school-led motor interventions at scale is possible. Moreover, the work provides insights into the factors to consider when developing school-based motor interventions prior to conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT). The process outlined in this manuscript has led to an RCT to test the effectiveness of HHS within primary schools.

Non-pharmacological interventions for aggression in persons with dementia: A 10-year follow-up review of the literature

Aggression is a common behavior in persons with dementia (PWDs). Nursing staff report that aggression is the most distressing behavior they face on the job. In addition, aggression may result in the prescription of psychotropic medications, which are largely ineffective and have dangerous side effects. Therefore, non-pharmacological interventions are necessary to safely manage aggressive behaviors and target the underlying cause of aggression. The current paper is a 10-year follow-up to Buchanan and colleagues’ 2007 literature review of non-pharmacological interventions for aggression in PWDs. This paper has three primary purposes: (1) To update the review of the empirical literature in this area; (2) To examine how limitations in the literature have been addressed over the past 10 years; and (3) To suggest areas of future inquiry. Findings suggest that comprehensive staff training interventions and distraction-based interventions during activities of daily living (ADLs) show the most promise for managing aggression in PWDs.

Overcoming Oral Hygiene Challenges in the Nursing Home

Overcoming Oral Hygiene Challenges in the Nursing Home

Integrating cervical cancer with HIV healthcare services: A systematic review.

BackgroundCervical cancer is a major public health problem. Even though readily preventable, it is the fourth leading cause of death in women globally. Women living with HIV are at increased risk of invasive cervical cancer, highlighting the need for access to screening and treatment for this population. Integration of services has been proposed as an effective way of improving access to cervical cancer screening especially in areas of high HIV prevalence as well as lower resourced settings. This paper presents the results of a systematic review of programs integrating cervical cancer and HIV services globally, including feasibility, acceptability, clinical outcomes and facilitators for service delivery.MethodsThis is part of a larger systematic review on integration of services for HIV and non-communicable diseases. To be considered for inclusion studies had to report on programs to integrate cervical cancer and HIV services at the level of service delivery. We searched multiple databases including Global Health, Medline and Embase from inception until December 2015. Articles were screened independently by two reviewers for inclusion and data were extracted and assessed for risk of bias.Main results11,057 records were identified initially. 7,616 articles were screened by title and abstract for inclusion. A total of 21 papers reporting interventions integrating cervical cancer care and HIV services met the criteria for inclusion. All but one study described integration of cervical cancer screening services into existing HIV services. Most programs also offered treatment of minor lesions, a ‘screen-and-treat’ approach, with some also offering treatment of larger lesions within the same visit. Three distinct models of integration were identified. One model described integration within the same clinic through training of existing staff. Another model described integration through co-location of services, with the third model describing programs of integration through complex coordination across the care pathway. The studies suggested that integration of cervical cancer services with HIV services using all models was feasible and acceptable to patients. However, several barriers were reported, including high loss to follow up for further treatment, limited human-resources, and logistical and chain management support. Using visual screening methods can facilitate screening and treatment of minor to larger lesions in a single ‘screen-and-treat’ visit. Complex integration in a single-visit was shown to reduce loss to follow up. The use of existing health infrastructure and funding together with comprehensive staff training and supervision, community engagement and digital technology were some of the many other facilitators for integration reported across models.ConclusionsThis review shows that integration of cervical cancer screening and treatment with HIV services using different models of service delivery is feasible as well as acceptable to women living with HIV. However, the descriptive nature of most papers and lack of data on the effect on long-term outcomes for HIV or cervical cancer limits the inference on the effectiveness of the integrated programs. There is a need for strengthening of health systems across the care continuum and for high quality studies evaluating the effect of integration on HIV as well as on cervical cancer outcomes.

Capacity, commitment, and culture: The 3 Cs of staff development in a learning organization.

If an agency desires changes in practice and a consistent approach to services, psychiatric rehabilitation staff development requires more than a single session of training. This column describes one agency's approach to a comprehensive staff training and development program, designed to enhance the 3 Cs of capacity, commitment, and culture. The program described has been in place, with frequent adjustments, for over 20 years, and the experiences of the authors and their colleagues form the primary source for the paper. Staff development requires an ongoing investment--competency-based training, supervision congruent with the service vision and mission, accountability through performance evaluation, and opportunities for growth. We have a firm belief that our employees learn to treat others, in part, from how they are treated by our agency leadership.