Why do we need to get a Covid Vaccine in Australia
Have you had your vaccine? Are you concerned? The focus seems to have moved from keeping the population safe, to what harm will it cause me!
The History of Vaccinations
Smallpox, Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis and Polio have all been successfully eradicated or significantly contained through mass vaccination. But today, we see too many people who were either not born in the 1800’s when this commenced or have not experienced its trauma. I know you are not over 200 years old, but my point is your health has been protected by a Vaccine given more than 200 years ago. What we achieve today, tomorrow they will forget. But if we do not Vaccinate today, there may not be a tomorrow to remember.
So, how does this relate to Nursing, and more specifically aged care! Please just turn on the television, or Facebook and see the daily changes in active COVID for Aged Care across Australia. There are past and current cases. Even cases of Nurses in more recent times testing positive for COVID.
What has Education go to do with COVID
If you are an Aged Care Provider, you need to be reading this. Your business success depends on the competency and understanding of Clinical Governance, and Aged Care Standards, alongside how your staff implement them.
Why more education you ask! All education is not the same. It is very likely that most if not all of your registered nurses have a University Degree. However, what sort of Clinical Governance education have they received since they finished their nursing degree? Yes, experience is the greatest teacher, but you as the business owner do not have another 20 years to wait for the nurses to gain that experience. The right education and training, can increase staff competence, and improve the business bottom line.
Specialist Training
There are a plethora of online education providers in aged care, healthcare and nursing. COVID has increased this. Whilst this is good, what I want you to ask is how good! How good is it for your staff to have online education, often in their own time, not directly related to what they are doing, not directly related to your workplace, or not directly related to the population they are providing care for. The answer is, as you already know, face to face education.
Training should not be “old hat” in that staff just have to put up with the negative work environment. Nor should the training be all “online” as there is no interaction with the trainer, the workplace or the teachings. The time has come for a face to face trainer, experienced in Clinical Governance, and Aged Care Standards, to present this specialised training.
How much you ask?
Everything depends on your client population, your location, and your needs. A small 40 bed regional stand-alone home has very different education needs to a large city multi-level-site facility, and some sites are co-located with hospitals. A needs assessment can be undertaken and a plan developed to meet your specific needs.
Handwashing
Why handwashing! In the midst of this world-wide pandemic the fastest and most effective way to prevent infection is to wash your hands. There is a course anyone can do National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) help desk to show they understand the importance of handwashing and how to do it safety and correctly. This does not detract from social-distancing or vaccination; but it does help.