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BUSINESS ADVISOR
BALANCING ACT
Overcome Cross-Training's Challenges
C
ross-training is
routine, but are
your cross-trained
staff members competent
in the various functions to
which they're assigned?
If not, what steps can you
take to ensure that they
are?
Start by scheduling
them to perform various
functions on a consistent basis. Assign a
recovery nurse to work
pre-op or provide lunch
relief in the OR to mainLOTS TO LEARN It's a challenge for cross-trained
staff to master the various roles they're asked to fill.
tain her circulating
skills. Have the OR circulator rotate to recovery after cases are completed to maintain her PACU skills.
Don't move cross-trained staff around only when it's needed. Ask them
to regularly work in different areas of your facility so their skills remain
sharp. Some facilities with fully cross-trained teams rotate positions
every day or week to ensure each staff member is fully capable of performing any role.
Cross-training's bottom line: As a matter of patient safety, you never
want to place employees in positions where they're not qualified or com— Arthur E. Casey, CASC
petent to perform.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2013
