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EHRs are a useful tool for a physician to maintain streamlined communications and effectively manage patient care. But in order to maximize product performance, healthcare organizations must also ensure that their clinicians and staff have adequate training.
Relevant learning resources are crucial for healthcare EHR users. These training materials help teams maintain optimal levels of care and operations, quickly recover from staff turnover, and stay prepared for regulatory updates and technological advancements.
In this post, we cover how the successful implementation of training programs can preserve essential product knowledge and what steps we've taken to ensure continuous learning for key stakeholders.
For healthcare organizations looking to onboard new staff or retrain current employees on their electronic health record solutions, MEDHOST Learning Essentials (MLE) offers an ideal solution.
This online learning platform provides real-world scenarios, hands-on learning, and role-based workflows to support hospital staff onboarding, retraining, and cross-training. The interactive design and self-guided interactions create a consistent and efficient training experience.
Super users help preserve essential product knowledge among your staff and improve clinical practice. If a health system wants to train super users and application administrators in advanced system knowledge, MEDHOST Empower Training is the answer. This instructor-led, customizable training program can help users master best practices and get the most out of their MEDHOST EHR system.
Facilities may find value in combining MEDHOST Learning Essentials and Empower Training services. This approach offers a comprehensive solution that caters to the various learning needs of staff members, providing scalable, foundational training for multiple end-users and targeted training for super users and application administrators. This combination can be vital in sustaining hospital operations and reducing care disruptions.
In addition to these training resources, MEDHOST recently launched an educational project focused on direct user engagement, which seeks to drive targeted product awareness—MEDHOST Customer Experience Institute (CXI).
This ongoing dialogue with our partners features talented professionals and subject matter experts well-versed in leading practices, providing training sessions and materials on various EHR functionalities. The CXI Insitute is committed to improving end-user experiences through training curricula that drive enhanced utilization, streamline workflow, improve system build and configuration settings, and foster enterprise-wide adoption.
Contact us at 1.800.383.6278 or email inquiries@medhost.com to learn more about the offerings available through their comprehensive solutions to continuously build and reinforce MEDHOST knowledge at your facility.
The pandemic lingers on, and there are few professions where its impact is felt more acutely than among nurses. Overburdened and understaffed, they continue to deal with rising demands and patient volumes while soaring healthcare costs intensify the hospital workforce crisis.
Despite these challenges and others, nurses continue to play a critical role in promoting value-based care across the healthcare industry. One of their many unsung duties is serving as advocates and educators, encouraging patients to learn about treatments and engage more effectively with their providers.
This week, MEDHOST is proud to highlight the following article by Paula Wellde, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM from our partner OBIX, in which she sheds light on the ongoing morbidity associated with preeclampsia, and what patients and providers can do to mitigate the risks.
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For thirty-one years I’ve had the privilege of being a nurse, with much of that time spent at the bedside in labor and delivery. That experience has presented opportunities to provide education and training on pregnancy-related health issues within hospitals and, more recently, to the perinatal industry.
Preeclampsia occurs only during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week, and in the postpartum period (up to 4-6 weeks after delivery). It is a disorder that affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders are the leading cause of maternal mortality and infant prematurity. It is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and can create a predisposition to:
In recent years, preeclampsia has received more mainstream attention following the experiences shared by well-known celebrities like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian and Mariah Carey. Still, even with that exposure, the numbers have not improved, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
There is currently no evidence that maternal-fetal outcomes are improved by early screening and there is no single test that reliably predicts preeclampsia. That’s why it’s vital to continue drawing attention to preeclampsia, so that practitioners and pregnant women are armed with facts to identify the warning signs. Then, if the condition develops, they can be proactive and seek out potentially life-saving medical attention. Again, early detection and treatment are key.
Seasoned labor and delivery nurses are typically well versed with preeclampsia, but even experienced clinicians can have difficulty recognizing a condition that is worsening. Newer nurses, peers on other units, and patients, may overlook, dismiss, and/or misunderstand the signs and symptoms which could lead to potentially detrimental outcomes. In the case of postpartum hypertension and preeclampsia, if the patient’s medical record is not available, treating personnel may have no knowledge the patient has recently delivered, resulting in a decreased index of suspicion.
The most common classifications of hypertension in pregnancy are:
During my tenure as a clinical educator, I taught classes covering preeclampsia to the clinical staff who treated pregnant patients in the emergency department and the intensive care unit. One of the things I would tell them is that if someone comes in with a severe headache or elevated blood pressure and they’re pregnant or recently delivered, to assume it’s preeclampsia until proven otherwise and perform frequent blood pressure checks. Then, if still elevated, contact the patient’s obstetrician, and treat diligently to prevent seizure/stroke. Obviously, this is oversimplified, and your facility is likely to have more detailed standards. The key takeaway here is that training is vital between units that intersect labor and delivery.
Luckily, we live in a time where access to free education and training resources are readily available. The information and materials can be used within your facility and shared to your community, especially to those who may have limited access to maternal care. The links below have information related to preeclampsia to help get you started:
As we strive to improve maternal outcomes as a nation, and where minutes and seconds count, it is important that we are proactively doing everything we can to make a difference.
Thank you for reading and see you at the nurse’s station!
Paula Wellde, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM has been a nurse for 31 years and has performed in a variety of roles in the perinatal setting including staff nurse, director, perinatal systems manager, clinical nurse educator, and perinatal safety nurse. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2020). Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 135(6), e237-e260
Druzin M, Shields L, Peterson N, Sakowski C, Cape V, Morton C. Improving Health Care Response to Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, a California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Quality Improvement Toolkit, 2021.
Since 1996, Clinical Computer Systems, Inc. (CCSI) has carved out a niche by developing a leading perinatal software solution and providing exceptional service. Our founder started his career as a customer service technician for a medical software company. After gaining fundamental knowledge of that system, and establishing a dedicated customer base, CCSI was born.
Over the next several years, with a team of expert coders and experience OB clinicians, the software platform was rebuilt and renamed to OBIX Perinatal Data System. We continually incorporate new technologies and industry standards with a high level of patient care and safety in mind.
We understand that no two customers are alike – that each relationship needs to be fostered through collaboration. Throughout the entire project and beyond, we will work with you to deliver a solution that aligns with your goals and initiatives.
Hospitals across the nation are grappling with workforce challenges. The source of these obstacles varies; however, as new staff members onboard, it is essential to have flexible and efficient training options to help alleviate some of the challenges. With the most relevant learning resources, your facility can have continued success in the face of impactful change. The right solutions can help your team continually maintain optimal levels of care and operations, quickly recover from staff turnover, and prepare for regulatory updates while keeping in stride with the evolving healthcare technology landscape. However, every facility has different needs based on its current or historical challenges.
Below are a few scenarios your facility might be looking to fulfill.
Onboarding and Retraining Staff
If your facility is looking to onboard new staff or retrain current staff, aiming to ramp up quickly and provide a strong foundation of knowledge for end-users on your EHR solution, MEDHOST Learning Essentials (MLE) can help you meet these educational goals. This online learning solution is equipped with real-world scenarios, hands-on learning, and role-based workflows that could support customers' onboarding, retraining, and cross-training of their hospital staff. The relevant, role-based workflows engage the learner and provide foundational knowledge to help product comprehension through a predictable training model. Additionally, a repeatable and scalable online training experience with an interactive design, scenario-based content, and self-guided interactions offers a great learning experience. The eLearning curricula provide a consistent learning experience and help make training or retraining staff more efficient.
Advancing Super Users
Alternatively, if your facility seeks to train super users and application administrators on advanced system knowledge - MEDHOST Empower Training is the solution to meet this need. Empower Training is instructor-led, live (remote and virtual), and customizable classroom delivery designed to meet a facility's specific learning, such as configuring system files or mastering best practice workflows to get the most out of your MEDHOST applications. MEDHOST University's Empower Training offers tiered packages that allow facilities to plan and use the time when the need arises. The course catalog provides opportunities to tailor topics and design a learning plan that aligns with customers' needs. By focusing offerings on key hospital areas that impact patient care, financials, and operations, customers can learn how to meet their desired goals better and achieve more significant outcomes.
If your facility needs assistance with educating end-users, super users, and application administrators, consider blending MEDHOST Learning Essentials and Empower Training services. A combination approach offers both online and instructor-led training, meeting the various learning needs of your staff, and might benefit from scalable, foundational training for multiple end-users and focused training for super users and application administrators. Together, these two robust learning paths can play an essential role in helping sustain hospital operations and reduce care disruptions.
MEDHOST University - ONE comprehensive solution to continuously build and reinforce your facility's shared MEDHOST knowledge.
To learn more about the offerings available through MEDHOST University, contact us at 1.800.383.6278 or email inquiries@medhost.com.
Rural communities are chronically short of physicians, nurses, specialists, and other healthcare workers.
The loss of even a single employee can have a far-reaching impact. In addition to the low number of physicians who practice in rural areas, higher than average turnover rates often further reduce the available workforce. These challenges and others demand speedy and practical training of rural hospital staff to maintain adequate staffing.
One training area often overlooked concerns education over the proper usage of a hospital’s healthcare IT (HIT) solutions. Because every IT tool used in your hospital directly or indirectly affects care delivery, patient experiences, and productivity, the probability of periodic staff shortages in the rural healthcare landscape requires extra diligence to ensure adequate performance from the entire team.
HIT education not only improves performance but also increases job satisfaction. A reduction in frustration and increased job satisfaction can build a more loyal and capable workforce.
However, many rural hospitals are resource-strapped and must choose between investing in solutions that meet their immediate needs or those that may take time to realize fully. Educating new and current staff on their HIT systems is both a short-term investment in performance and a long-term investment in people.
The absence of defined or updated EHR training programs during and after implementing healthcare IT solutions can have long-term impacts. Literature indicates that EHR adoption and satisfaction have links to improved patient care and financial and operational outcomes. Conversely, a lack in EHR adoption due to inadequate knowledge can result in drops in care quality and stressed-out employees.
In all settings, EHR training is something clinicians both want and need. However, according to survey data taken from clinical EHR users, 43% of clinician users rated their initial EHR training as “less than adequate,” while 94.6% of respondents thought there are opportunities to improve their EHR knowledge.
Inadequate training on an EHR can lead to poor HIT utilization. Poor utilization can lead to employee stress. Preventable work stressors can easily be attributed to higher turnover. Vacancies due to turnover can trigger a domino effect of financial strain on operations, quality of patient care, training costs, and staff workload.
For example, the cost of replacing a single nurse is estimated to be between $37k - $58k. Replacement costs may include recruitment funds, additional wages for staff coverage, and onboarding expenses for the new nurse.
According to an SHRM report, the average cost per hire across organizations and industries is estimated at $4,125 per new employee. While the cost to replace a healthcare worker may be lower than the average in rural healthcare communities, in an industry where turnover averages 15%, clinician burnout is high, and health emergencies arise unexpectedly, those dollars can add up quickly. As a result, rural community providers must seek creative solutions and better understand the impact of well-trained staff when curbing expenses.
Training programs are necessary to maintain optimal utilization of HIT solutions like an EHR, which plays a significant role in supporting a positive physician and patient experience. An established training program is not a panacea for rural healthcare workforce and care delivery issues, but at the very least can:
When evaluating any HIT solution, especially those concerning your EHR, rural hospitals should look for training programs that offer educational options that are repeatable and scalable. Your hospital can streamline on-boarding new staff and promote continuing education opportunities by offering a range of self-paced learning modes. In addition, a core of highly knowledgeable employees will work to prevent knowledge gaps in the event of turnover.
At MEDHOST, we have developed a cost-effective, structured, and immersive eLearning solution that acknowledges the many competing responsibilities of a rural healthcare worker. The design of MEDHOST Learning Essentials ensures a strong foundation of end-user knowledge that helps empower users to apply that knowledge in a real-world setting quickly.
By helping reframe the importance of adequate training and its effect on quality care and clinician experience, our rural hospital partners can effectively resolve staff frustrations and improve confidence. A confident workforce boosts retention. With improved retention, you can help ensure your community hospitals offer high-quality care when the patient needs it.
To learn more about how MEDHOST Learning Essentials can help strengthen your rural workforce, reach out to us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278.
Community hospitals are consistently faced with the burden of discovering new ways to improve patient care and clinical performance while getting the most from their limited resources.
One simple strategy for maximizing their staff’s output with minimal strain on personnel and budgets is role-based eLearning over their healthcare IT platforms and tools.
By giving healthcare workers the ability to engage in flexible, self-guided learning via a digital space, community healthcare facilities can improve their quality of service and sustainability. In parallel, they can then create more opportunities to drive operational and clinical efficiencies.
The most effective eLearning platforms for healthcare IT and other end-user solutions:
A report from ECRI states that at least two out of the top ten healthcare technology hazards are related to knowledge gaps in EHR utilization.
For example, if patient data processes are not understood by a clinician, they create inefficiencies in care delivery that can negatively impact the entire care continuum. Education on the proper and optimal use of an EHR platform or any other end-user system is essential to avoiding those situations while creating more opportunities for growth and improvement.
Other difficulties simply come down to time and resource management.
It can be cumbersome for community hospital clinicians to dedicate large portions of their days to classroom training. eLearning delivered in small, focused lessons helps improve this time management challenge by allowing completion of training at the learner’s own pace.
Most community hospitals have limited time to acclimate employees to new technology and processes, plus face an additional challenge of high employee turnover rates. A role-specific eLearning curriculum offers an added element of interactivity that enables a consistent learning experience and makes on-boarding new employees less time-consuming and more efficient.
The ease and speed eLearning adds to training makes it a valuable, resource-saving solution.
In healthcare IT, technology changes rapidly, often driven by regulations that can marginalize smaller providers. All this volatility furthers the healthcare IT learning and education gap, especially in already struggling community hospitals.
By blending the flexible and intuitive capabilities of an eLearning platform with other instructional methods, community hospitals can improve efficiency on EHR adoption, support positive clinical outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction
At MEDHOST our eLearning solution, MEDHOST® Learning Essentials, creates an effective online learning environment to create a strong foundation of MEDHOST product knowledge.
For more information about how our MEDHOST® Learning Essentials’ role-specific, interactive, and self-paced eLearning experience can help support your hospital’s training and education goals, please contact us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278
Scalable and intuitive online learning experience will support superior product knowledge.
FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 23, 2021 – MEDHOST®, a leading EHR (electronic health record) and healthcare IT solutions provider, has launched a role-based eLearning solution for its customers, MEDHOST® Learning Essentials, from MEDHOST University. The solution will further enhance MEDHOST’s educational capabilities to empower clinical and financial roles with scalable and intuitive eLearning opportunities so they can continue to focus on providing excellent care to their patients.
MEDHOST Learning Essentials can help facilities meet their educational goals. By utilizing digital technology, this eLearning experience will help customers onboard, retrain, and cross-train their hospital staff. The relevant, role-based workflows engage the learner and provide foundational knowledge to support product comprehension through a predictable training model.
MEDHOST Learning Essentials offers healthcare facilities the value and benefit of a repeatable and scalable online training experience with an interactive design, real-world scenario-based content and self-guided interactions.
“At MEDHOST, we understand the importance of ongoing and flexible educational opportunities for our customers,” said Bill Anderson, Chairman and CEO at MEDHOST. “MEDHOST Learning Essentials will provide eLearning opportunities for the most critical roles at the healthcare facilities. Especially during these unprecedented times, flexible, on- demand, and focused eLearning can really help accelerate educational opportunities.”
Learn more about MEDHOST Learning Essentials here.
About MEDHOST
MEDHOST has been providing products and services to healthcare facilities of all types and sizes for over 35 years. Today, more than 1,000 healthcare facilities are partnering with MEDHOST and enhancing their patient care and operational excellence with its clinical and financial solutions, which include an integrated EHR solution. MEDHOST also offers a comprehensive emergency department information system with business and reporting tools. Additionally, its unparalleled support and cloud platform solutions make it easy to focus on what’s important for healthcare facilities: their patients and business. Connect with MEDHOST on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Samra Khan
Senior Marketing Manager
615-761-1000, ext. 2119
samra.khan@medhost.com
A statistic that can make any hospital executive nervous before installing a new system is that about 50 percent of all EHR projects fail, or users will never properly utilize the system.
While Health IT solutions focus on driving improved performance and proficiency, having a poor or incomplete implementation can adversely affect your facility during the deployment and for an extended time post-implementation.
Most hospitals have gone through a major system implementation and know that the process is complicated to manage. The goal is always to support continuity of safe, exceptional patient care while ensuring contingency plans are established to address any problems. Is that goal always achieved? Statistics tell a discouraging story.
The single most important long-term success factor is achieving a thorough understanding of existing services and processes and adapting those to the workflows built into your selected EHR vendor. As your implementation will reach across almost every department within your hospital, you should put together a team that includes experts and “super users” from all facility areas to ensure desired results are achieved and the solution complements existing workflows.
Successful implementation involves communication within and outside the IT department. The process should consist of deep collaboration with the technology and the people, practices, and ethos of the healthcare facility. Early resolution of potential issues can reduce future clinical, operational, and financial challenges.
A sampling of the critical components correlated to implementation planning that can position your organization for success during and beyond deployment include:
To learn more about how MEDHOST partners with its customers to ensure a smooth transition before, during, and after the implementation for your continued success, reach out to us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278.
At MEDHOST, we provide exceptional solutions and services with a goal of continually educating our customers so they can achieve their optimal clinical and operational outcomes. Our Education team consists of highly experienced instructors, eLearning developers, and instructional designers who provide you with world-class training and resources.
Learn from experts with decades of healthcare experience and rise to the top of your department. Learn more about MEDHOST Education offerings.
In 2018, the healthcare worker turnover rate reached a decade-long peak at 19.1 percent according to Nursing Solutions, Inc’s (NSI) 2019 National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report.
The study claims that healthcare organizations (HCOs) are hoping this trend will have reversed by the end of 2019, but that is yet to be seen.
According to the NSI study, when healthcare organizations lose staff, on average, it can cost those facilities $60,000 per employee in recruitment and operational expenses. The impact turnover has on an organization’s bottom line can vary depending on skill level, but ancillary costs like training new employees can still weigh heavy.
For example, training a new physician or business manager usually necessitates an introduction to new clinical or financial tools. If additional training needs catch a facility unprepared, it can claim vital resources that may have been needed elsewhere. Hospitals using MEDHOST’s suite of healthcare solutions can get ahead of turnover training costs by investing in Empower Training Packages for their staff.
MEDHOST University’s Empower Training Packages are designed to provide key hospital staff with the in-depth knowledge they need to maximize training time and get new personnel on board faster. An investment in MEDHOST training puts the super in “Super User” by empowering essential staff with the skills they need to respond to unexpected turnover with greater agility.
For more information about Empower Training Packages and the complete catalog, visit our website. Current MEDHOST customers who want to learn more about our Empower Training Packages can also contact their Account Executive for more information.
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