Purpose for the program:   A large healthcare organization faced challenges educating large numbers of nurses and providers who work various shifts, across various time zones, in multiple facilities, in six states. Classroom education with a live instructor became impossible as the healthcare organization faced economic constraints, and qualified instructors were stretched thin. With a goal of providing consistent, quality education, this healthcare organization searched for a better way to provide support and information to all perinatal staff.

Proposed change:  Being tasked with providing the education, a small group proposed using web conferencing services and large capacity bridge lines, with scripted training.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:  

With only 10 people available to provide the education, the group scheduled classes four times each day (including night shift) for five days. Experts were used to present the information remotely. The web conferencing allows question and answer interaction which is more effective than staff viewing a power point on their own, or completing a computerized module.

The new education was implemented including fetal heart rate tracing definitions, interpretations and interventions as well as changes in the electronic medical record (EMR). The EMR is used to hardwire best practice and adherence to specific policies and procedures aimed at improving patient outcomes. Clinical informatics coordinators and perinatal educators came together to provide this training. Instructions for connecting to the web conference were sent to department leaders, educators, medical staff services, and informatics coordinators to communicate to end users.

The outcome of using this method of providing education included reaching more than 400 staff and providers in just one week. Everyone who attended the training received the same information, in a scripted format eliminating trainer bias. Nurses and providers had the opportunity to watch an expert navigate the EMR. This format enabled real time question and answer opportunities, usually generating interactive thoughtful discussion. Attendees of the training received a link to a post quiz. The training attendance and post quiz were recorded and tracked in a database electronically.

Implications for nursing practice:  The implication for nursing is that the nurses all hear a consistent message including the rationale for change. This type of training provides camaraderie in a large healthcare system, connecting perinatal nurses from small rural facilities, with larger urban centers, igniting passion in perinatal care.

Keywords: education, web conferencing