Aspire to New Heights in Patient Safety: Elevate the Quality of Transports

Abstract

<p>&lt;p&gt;The Telemetry Transporter Orientation program was created to prepare inpatient Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) with the competencies for ECG interpretation, airway management, and recognition of the signs/symptoms of hypertension and stroke. Alarm safety was added to the course aligning with the National Patient Safety Goals highlighted by The Joint Commission (TJC). Additionally, course content includes procedures for patient hand-offs between healthcare providers for the achievement of seamless care coordination.<br />The theory of andragogy suggests that adults are motivated to learn as they experience specific needs, learning is life-centered, and self-directed (Knowles, Holton, &amp; Swanson, 2014). A blended teaching methodology is employed using didactic presentation, demonstration &ndash; return demonstration, and low-fidelity simulation. A written course examination is given with a passing grade of 80%. Quantitative feedback demonstrated a high degree of participant satisfaction with the course.&lt;/p&gt;<br />&lt;p&gt;The telemetry transporter&rsquo;s competencies are further evaluated on the patient care units. The telemetry transporter is paired with a professional nurse and a respiratory therapist on a critical care unit for a specified period of time to engage in further ECG interpretation, telemetry monitoring principles, and airway management strategies. Once the competencies are validated by the professional nurse the telemetry transporter partners with an experienced telemetry transporter for additional training. Revalidation of the telemetry transporter competencies are completed every two years. In fiscal year (FY) 2016, 44,495 transports occurred within the organization, the majority being patients with a cardiac diagnosis.&lt;/p&gt;</p>