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In 2014 the HSCT program at the academic medical center became a member of the NMDP. This brought the challenge of ensuring that those who would be trusted to care for these patients have the proper knowledge and skill base to be successful. A review of strategies was undertaken to effectively meet the educational needs of staff caring for HSCT patients across settings.
Methods, Intervention, & Analysis
The leadership team, in conjunction with the HSCT staff, identified an opportunity to enhance knowledge among staff nurses in both the inpatient and ambulatory care setting. The goal: prepare staff to care for this complex patient population and to improve relationships between inpatient and ambulatory nurses and to enhance continuity of care. A multi-disciplinary education plan was created involving various venues and formats to address these goals Initially a multi-day intensive educational offering was provided in collaboration with an external expert. These sessions covered topics from diseases treated by HSCT, indications for each type of transplant, and the basics of HLA typing. Internal experts including nurses and pharmacists offered additional sessions, focusing on care of the allogeneic transplant patient. An HSCT physician offers informal bi-weekly sessions that address just-in time clinical issues. Finally in an effort to support staff preparing for the bone marrow transplant certified nurse exam (BMTCN) a study group is offered on a monthly basis.
Findings & Interpretation
Approximately 75% of staff have attended the sessions with ongoing session being offered to meet the needs of new staff and those who did not participate in the initial sessions. Feedback from staff has been positive: “These sessions were great” and “It was really neat to meet the outpatient nurses”
Discussion & Implications
In addition to increasing knowledge and confidence of nurses this program has increased communication and cohesiveness among the nursing staff. This program will be continued and expanded to meet the needs of nurses throughout the organization caring for HSCT patients.