Fredonia Regional Hospital nursing and EMS staff will hold their annual competency fair on two different dates again for maximum participation and achievement. Friday September 9th and 16th nursing and EMS managers will be providing tactical and experience-based learning towards continual quality patient care for all nursing and support staff. ER/OR manager Kim Buttler sums up the reason behind the competency fair, “At FRH a minimum acceptable quality or standard of care that we wish to extend to our patients comes from the continual improvement and concern for advanced learning opportunities”.
While the event happens every year the nursing, E.R., and E.M.S. managers spend months planning, organizing and implementing a mandatory “Competency Fair” for respective FRH staff members to attend. Criteria involve hands-on simulations, lecture-based learning and test question and answer sessions. Attendance to one of the two scheduled days is required but most employees feel that the competency fair creates a sense of worth and knowledge that transfers over when caring for the patient(s). “Even though the fair is required for all nursing and support staff we work very hard at showing them that we value them as employee, as well as assets to the hospital and we take pride in having staff that are quick on their feet while providing the highest quality of care” said Brenda Taylor, RN, Med-Surg/Nurse Manager at FRH.
The competency fair which is held off campus at the First Assembly of God Church in Fredonia is afforded more classroom space and opportunities for better simulated modules. Participants in the past have even worked outside with actual modulated “patients” involved in a simulated farm accident. Time and effort is put into not only learning but re-creating the “life-like” instances through make-up, costume pieces and advanced life-saving techniques to further hone in on more proficient skill sets.
“We strive to make these day a no stress learning environment that encourages participation and self-growth,” added Ryan Duft, RN and Chief Nursing Officer at FRH. As part of the informal environment; small door prizes are given away and even grand prizes are drawn for towards the end of the day with meals being served. Last year pizza was provided as the complimentary meal but this year the nurse managers decided to make it more personal and cook a ‘Mexican Fiesta’ for all participants. Ryan summarizes the educational quality of the competency fair by adding, “FRH has many wonderful staff members, all of which display caring attitudes and competent jobs skills, making FRH not only a great place to work but also a great place to come for quality healthcare”.
All of us would do anything for the ones that we love. Learning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other life-saving techniques can help you prepare for unexpected cardiac arrests or other smaller emergencies. Young or old, CPR is vital. We all need air to sustain life. If we can't provide that air and circulation on our own then having someone who knows how until the paramedics arive is a "life-saver".
With CPR being performed within the first moments of an arrest the chance of survival for that person doubles. The reason behind that is CPR keeps blood ciruclating to the brain and vital organs while help is on it's way.
To learn more about CPR check back for flyers, handouts and informational guides on this site.
