How Just-in-Time Training Works for Specific Medical Cases
Just-in-time training (JITT) is an effective method to proactively reduce errors related to medical interventions and procedures. Through JITT, nurses can watch short microlearning videos before engaging in critical care processes or prior to operating devices (particularly high-risk, low-use ones) which directly impact patients’ (as well as the nursing professional’s) safety.
While this is a generalized benefit of JITT, the same advantage can be specifically applied to various hospital departments and medical procedures.
In this post, we highlight studies which prove how just-in-time training is applied in specific situations.
“Just-in-time training (JITT) is an effective method to proactively reduce errors related to medical interventions and procedures.”
Anesthetic Application for Lumbar Support
In this research, JITT is utilized in order to improve accuracy when it comes to applying anesthesia for lumbar puncture. The setting is through a pediatric emergency department (PED) in an urban area with about 70,000 visits a year. The rare frequency at which this procedure occurs makes it likely for PED nurses to feel uncomfortable with the process.
PED nurses were first surveyed to categorize their comfort level when it comes to anesthetic application for lumbar support. The questionnaire also included other vital information, including the RN’s years of experience in the field and if they had undergone relevant training.
“JITT is utilized in order to improve accuracy when it comes to applying anesthesia for lumbar puncture as well as for tracheal intubation in pediatric or neonatal units.”
A 70-minute JITT video briefly demonstrating how a cream is applied on an infant mannequin was also prepared and cross checked by experts (resident pediatricians and a PED nurse), before uploading it to YouTube. The video is accessible through a smartphone or tablet and showed the process of anesthetic cream application in a very precise manner, even if the video is quite short.
The study went on to compare nurses’ responses before and after watching the video. The results indicated a significant increase in comfort level after watching the video. Sham cream coverage also improved after watching the microlearning video. The research then concludes that JITT is, indeed, an effective medical education method when it comes to anesthetic application for lumbar support.
Tracheal Intubation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Another JITT research in the pediatric department involved tracheal intubation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with resident doctors participating. While this procedure is not common outside the operating room, residents are still exposed to such cases during clinical rounds in various areas of the pediatric unit, such as the emergency room, delivery room, and the ICUs (pediatric and neonatal).
Unlike the previous case, this JITT study utilized a SIM Lab (simulation laboratory); a training room which resembles an actual PICU or NICU unit. Each participant had undergone a 20-minute simlab training watching related videos, followed by an actual 10-minute airway management refresher, using a mannequin.
The conclusion didn’t show any significant result for trainee laryngoscopists who participated, though. Nonetheless, the importance of tracheal intubation in preventing pediatric death is still a concern; hence, any hospital education option to reduce errors is worth a shot.
“JITT is applicable to high-risk, low-volume medical procedures or therapies.”
High Risk Low Volume Therapies
In a previous post, we discussed the importance of JITT for high risk, low use devices. The same principle applies to medical procedures and therapies which are high-risk, but are performed infrequently. While this research material only shows citations and doesn’t expound on the subject, we can still conclude that undergoing JITT is imperative to reduce or even prevent errors, and ensure patient safety (as well as that of the health care professional).
Tine Health
Tine Health can improve your hospital training program for specific medical concerns in various departments. We produce brief, detailed videos, which can be viewed using a smartphone or tablet prior to engaging in a medical process.
Contact us for a demo!
Article Sources:
- ScieEdu CA Journal of Nursing Education and Practice
http://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jnep/article/view/2816/1943 - The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.
http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1933345 - Patient Safety Network (PSNET) of the US Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
https://psnet.ahrq.gov/resources/resource/29074
