The Getinge Academy offers a comprehensive training programme to enable safe, accurate and reliable operation of all Getinge equipment and systems. The Clinical Services Journal editor Alec Peachey was invited to attend a training day.
“Education, education, education,” these are the words that former Prime Minister Tony Blair used when setting out his priorities for office. And in the healthcare sector staff are well accustomed to this mantra as the importance of learning is something that cannot be underestimated.
On the day I attend the Getinge UK Academy in Gloucestershire I’m met by Ruth Harvey and Nigel Wilson, both being experienced trainers who have worked for Getinge for nine and eight years respectively.
The pair are set to deliver a course on the Getinge ED Flow Automated Endoscope Reprocessor, but before doing so they take time out to speak to CSJ.
Harvey said: “My previous experience as a senior sister/manager in theatres both in the NHS and private sector has not only given me a sound knowledge in decontamination of both endoscopes and sterile services but is also very helpful for understanding the pressure of work the staff are under and the time restraints they have for arranging training sessions.”
The aim of the course being delivered is for attendees to achieve a competent working knowledge of the day-to-day operation of the Getinge ED Flow Automated Endoscope Reprocessor, together with an understanding of the related theory/guidelines for endoscope decontamination.
Both Harvey and Wilson speak passionately about the training they deliver and are keen to draw on their own career backgrounds when doing so.
“I see my role as an experienced clinical trainer to be of valued assistance to all disciplines of staff and customers,” notes Wilson. “To provide them with my experience and knowledge in helping them understand the importance of all types of decontamination on re-useable medical devices, in particular with endoscopes.”
The Getinge Academy was setup in 2006 by training manager Helen Ashwell. Harvey takes up the story: “The Academy started because it was recognised that there was a need for training by a clinical professional, with an understanding of the customer perspective.”
Developments in training It’s fair to say that over time the Academy has gone from strength to strength with the addition of new courses and products.
The Academy has eight trainers in total including two technical trainers who are able to train Getinge and hospital engineers on how to use and repair the equipment.
Harvey continues: “The idea was to support hospital staff in how to use equipment safely and effectively. Helen expanded the role rapidly and could see that there was a massive gap where decontamination staff needed to understand how to use the equipment and the role of the dedicated user who is responsible for making sure everything is done correctly in endoscopy. She then wrote courses and it developed from there.”
More recently the Academy has developed new e-learning customer training as an added feature, to help manage the problem of theatre staff not being available to attend face to face training.
Wilson states: “It’s something that we’ve started working on. It offers managers the opportunity to ensure staff have received “safe operation” training, prior to using the equipment, with documented evidence; training which can be scheduled in a more flexible way, according to the theatre department workload. The Academy can follow this training with Super User competence training to ensure there is knowledgeable support within the theatre department, from day to day. I think it’s the way forward, as hospitals get busier and busier, with limited downtime for training.”
Developing e-learning customer training also ensures that hospital theatres are not put in a position where they have to halt or alter a schedule of surgery to accommodate training. “It’s about trying to utilise what we’ve got available to deliver more effective training,” states Harvey.
Throughout the day it is clear to see that both the trainers thrive off each other’s enthusiasm, something that comes across during the delivery of the training.
“Attendees will learn all about our bestselling Endoscope Washer Disinfector. We sit them out in front of the training machine, start off with an introduction and then go through different aspects,” remarked Harvey. “The delegates are usually a mixed bunch. Some have never used the machines before, or have only just started using them, others have used them for several years but just need a refresher. Everyone who uses the machine should have manufacturer’s training. They might be taught at the customer site (hospital), and then they come here and back up their knowledge.”
Learning is key
Engaging with your audience is key during any type of teaching, something that both trainers acknowledge.
“I think because of our clinical background we offer advice quite a bit,” comments Wilson. “It’s a lot to do with giving them the confidence and competence to use the equipment.”
Harvey adds: “It’s also about the underpinning knowledge. It’s not just why you’re washing a scope, it’s the decontamination of that scope and the whole process and the impact if it’s not done properly.”
In addition to the selection of standard courses available at Getinge’s training centres, the Academy offers hospitals on-site training on their equipment.
Whatever the type of training and wherever or however it is delivered, both Wilson and Harvey are clearly committed to the cause.
“I think it’s about education, education all the way through,” says Wilson. “People often just see a product, but from Getinge’s point of view there’s a dedicated team of trainers in the Academy and we’re well respected within the industry.”
“I think it’s about education, education all the way through,” says Wilson. “People often just see a product, but from Getinge’s point of view there’s a dedicated team of trainers in the Academy and we’re well respected within the industry.”
Harvey adds: “Hospitals have to have audit trails that show staff have had up to date training for the equipment they use.”
Wilson tells CSJ: “After equipment is installed, we’ll stay with staff for a couple of days to make sure they can handle it correctly. With regards to training I’d say things have definitely evolved. That’s why we’re now doing the online training.”
Harvey believes that there’s a balance to be struck when it comes to delivering training online or in person.
“You can do initial training in front of a machine with a practical element, but it will all depend on what equipment you’re teaching, and also how the staff receive it. You could do the initial training on site and then get them to do annual updates online.”
When it comes to delivering training in person hospital staff are encouraged to attend the Getinge Academy sites in either Gloucestershire or South Normanton. The training at these centres is offered free of charge.
Working as a team
Despite delivering numerous courses over the best part of a decade, the Getinge trainers continue to learn themselves.
As a way of sharpening their own skills all staff at the Academy go through a train the trainer course, which is run by Getinge. All trainers also have to pass the courses that they deliver. They hold adult teaching qualifications, and maintain their clinical qualification.
Harvey: “In any job you never stop learning. The day you stop learning is the day you become unsafe and should walk away.”
“That comes from our clinical background. Medicine is a science and science is evolving all the time,” continues Wilson. “You have to keep up with that evolution. I always say to people that if they were to sit down and listen to us as a group of Academy trainers they’d see that we’re very passionate about what we’re doing. Passion is one of the key elements and the Getinge Academy is renowned for being a tight-knit group with great teamwork across the board.”
With everyone learning at a different pace, the pair believe that mentorship is still important in the workplace.
Wilson said: “Colleague care is still important. In all practices you need someone you can go to. At the end of the day you’re responsible for a patient’s care and mentoring offers guidance and support. That’s part of what we teach here at Getinge. It’s important to talk to each other. Our advice is if you’re not sure speak to somebody.”
Harvey adds: “The other advantage of these courses is that you get people coming from different hospitals. Every hospital has their own way of doing things and can learn from each other. People can go back empowered with information to their units and help improve the service that they’re delivering to their patients.”
The last word goes to Wilson: “It’s about lighting the touch paper. It’s then down to them to do something with the information.”
Ultimately that’s what education is all about. Empowering people with information and encouraging them to do something with it. The Getinge Academy will continue to play its integral part in ensuring that this particular ethos is carried forward.
Course feedback
The Clinical Services Journal spoke to some delegates who participated in the training day. Here’s what they had to say.
Greta Bever, paediatric nurse at Ramsay Health Care UK, said: “I think courses like this are really important because you can talk to people who know the machines inside out. We’ve learnt a lot today.
“Although our endoscopy department are in charge of the machine, in the evenings and at the weekend they’re often not around so we’ve got to deal with the machine on our own. So to come on a course like this is really helpful.
“All the basic things that can go wrong they (the trainers) go through with us so when it happens we know what to do. This means we’re not floundering and saying ‘I don’t know what to do’. It gives you a lot more confidence in handling the machine.
“I think it makes you have better and safer practices because it reminds you of the things you should be doing that perhaps sometimes slip. It’s also nice to meet people from other disciplines and other hospitals. They do things in different ways and prepare in different ways so you end up getting quite a bit of feedback.”
Lynne Pittman from Cheltenham Nuffield said: “I and my colleague are going to be the people who do the weekly checks on the machine and log all the data. We need to know how to use the machine to get all that information.
“I hope to take away a better knowledge and clarification of the checks that I need to do on it. The training is very important because these checks have to be done and documented. Because I’m the sterile services unit coordinator you know why it has to be done and the importance of it.”
Getinge UK Unit 17 The Village, Maisies Way, South Normanton, Derbyshire DE55 2DS Tel: 01773 814730 Web: ukhcsales@getinge.com
