Authors (including presenting author) :
LAW WC, CHAN PC
Affiliation :
Sterile Services Department, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
For the delivery of comprehensive disinfection and sterilization services, strategic staff training is one crucial element in SSD departmental management. In this case, NTWSSD had implemented a tailor-made training curriculum for its staff.
Objectives :
To evaluate the staff in a comprehensive and objective perspective and cultivate the job duties and working culture of department.
Methodology :
Training modules in NTWSSD were distinctively designed based on job functions and staff experiences, ensuring an all-rounded step-by-step coverage of skills and knowledge.
All newly joined staff was required to participate in the Preceptorship Scheme for 8 weeks. One-to-one mentoring process aimed at achieving effective trainer-trainee communications and prompt problem solving. In assuring training quality, Train-the-trainer Program was accordingly launched to target all the qualified preceptors in the scheme. Concepts of leadership, effective feedback, constructive feedback and praising were introduced to the preceptors for successful impartation of knowledge to their trainees.
Besides, a 6-week Tier 1 in-house training was scheduled quarterly to all new-joined staff. Course content involved (i) Infection control and Occupational safety and health (OSH) issue, (ii) SSD workflow, (iii) Basic decontamination process and (iv) Storage management. Participants who successfully passed the examination would be awarded with a certificate upon course completion. Existing staff with two years’ experience would as well take part in the course for refreshing memories.
Supervisors or above were recruited into Tier 2 in-house training for professional enhancement in sterilization science weekly. Course syllabus ranged from advanced theories on decontamination science, to operation and quality management.
Supporting staff also received routine training each Friday. Sections involved good practices dissemination, nearly-missed cases sharing and workplace safety reminders. Four-week Autoclave Operator Trainings were also arranged to enrich supporting staff’s knowledge on (i) Sterilization theories, (ii) Components of sterilizers, (iii) Re-validation, (iv) Environmental control and (v) OSH issues encountered by autoclave operators. Interdepartmental trainings were simultaneously organized beyond SSD settings to gaining further exposures to peri-operative procedures and instrumentations.
Result & Outcome :
In application of this constantly refined training syllabus, NTWSSD had turned itself into a sustainable training centre to equip all staff with the essential skills and concepts at work. All training courses arranged had achieved 100% full completion by their participants, benefiting both the department's production performance and staff’s personal competencies.
