BEST IN CLASS New Knowledge & Innovation When Sarika Pich, B.S.N., R.N., manager of Education for Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG), touts ACES as fun, beneficial and rewarding, you might think she’s promoting the latest, greatest card game. Pich’s ACES, however, is the Annual Competency Evaluation of Skills, which she leads for unlicensed assistive personnel in THPG. “I am passionate about teaching and seeing that glow when someone understands what you are teaching them,” said Pich. “I love cheering on staff to ‘ace the ACES.’” Pich and her manager and mentor, Catherine Hill, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., G.N.P.-B.C., chief nursing officer for THPG, identified an opportunity to improve quality of care provided by frontline support staff in THPG medical offices. In response, Pich developed the innovative ACES program, which features the first annual competency check-off of key clinical skills conducted by nurse educators for THPG. Pich views her role as that of a coach and mentor. “It’s so great to work with the staff and help them see the product of their clinical skills,” said Pich. “They appreciate the training and mentorship so it’s a win for them, for the patients and for THPG.” Pich was a fellow for 2011–2012 with the Texas Christian University Center for Evidence Based Practice and Research: A Collaborating Center of the Joanna Briggs Institute. For her project, Pich researched the evidence and conducted a study on the effectiveness of an unstructured program of skills training for unlicensed assistive personnel versus a structured program. Through her work and assistance of colleagues, Pich was able to identify basic blood pressure competency of 37 percent in unstructured training versus a 90 percent competence using a structured program among medical assistants in THPG provider offices. THPG includes approximately 600 physicians and more than 200 physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The ACES program is extending Texas Health’s commitment to improve quality of care in this crucial portion of the continuum of care. Pich recognizes the important role of nurses in quality improvement. “Nurses should embrace opportunities and use their skill sets, knowledge and the evidence to improve patient care,” said Pich.
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