A Versatile Framework to Quickly Implement Wound Care-Specific, RoleBased Competency Programs Editorial Summary Establishing competency is a critical component of evidence-based wound care. However, developing comprehensive competency programs for our specialized field can be an arduous undertaking. A streamlined framework provides a versatile solution that allows clinicians to quickly implement targeted wound care competency programs based on staff roles. The framework categorizes competencies into domains, classes, and subclasses, enabling organizations to identify exactly which skills are relevant for different positions. It incorporates recommendations from guiding bodies and allows competencies to be consistently updated as the field evolves. Leveraging this framework, clinicians can work with team members to rapidly develop role-based competency programs. Gap analysis tools can further enhance efficiency. With competency checkpoints tied directly to patient care initiatives, organizations can readily demonstrate the impact of their education programs. This modular, wound-specific competency framework allows clinicians to swiftly establish comprehensive yet focused competency initiatives for all wound care staff. Doing so elevates patient care through evidence-based practice while meeting regulatory requirements.
Introduction
S
taffing shortages have been a top patient safety concern.1 The need to quickly onboard new clinicians and ensure competent performance is compounded by the lack of a standardized approach to education/ training in wound care.2,3 It has been shown that organizations with competency programs have 40% lower turnover and 87% greater ability to hire the best people.4 However, consistently ensuring clinicians’ competency in wound care is challenging, given time/ resource constraints.
Objective To address these needs, we aimed to create a framework to quickly implement role-specific, wound care competency programs.
Method Dr Elaine H. Song
Ms Catherine T. Milne
Ms Tiffany Hamm
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WoundReference, Inc.
Advanced Practice Wound, Ostomy Continence Nurse, Connecticut Clinical Nursing Associates
Vice President, Global Research Development at The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Walnut Creek CA, United States
Bristol CT, United States
Rockville MD, United States
The method used is demonstrated by Figure 1:
Figure 1: Managers/clinicians’ needs, and role-based competency areas in wound care were mapped
Ms Nataliya Lebedinskaya
Ms Janis Prado
Mr Jeff Mize
RN, CWOCN, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan
CWOCN at Kaiser Permanente
Principal Partner at Midwest Hyperbaric LLC Co-Founder at Wound Reference Inc: Chief Clinical Officer & Business Development Officer
Concord CA, United States
Oakley CA, United States
Overland Park KS, United States
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Wound Masterclass - Vol 2 - December 2023
Using the Design Thinking methodology,5 the solution* was created as a module within a clinical/ reimbursement decision support web-application for wound care/ hyperbaric clinicians
Role-based competency templates/training modules featuring evidencebased content, continuing education credits, and skills were built
Playbook for customization of the competency program was created
Framework was implemented in several organizations
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