The Pulse | Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Train the Trainer With Betty McGinty

Every hospital has a superstar trainer. But where do they get their information? For GI nurses and associates, proper training can be the difference between life and death for their patients. That’s why SGNA hosts Train the Trainer, a hands-on learning experience to teach best practices for those responsible for the cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes. This November, SGNA is offering a Fall Train the Trainer course in Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Betty McGinty, RN MSHSA CGRN CER, has been part of SGNA’s Train the Trainer since 2016. We spoke with her about her experience with the course and why learning opportunities like these are so important to those responsible for their department’s safety.

SGNA: In your own words, can you explain what Train the Trainer is and why it’s so important?

Betty McGinty: Train the Trainer is a comprehensive, instructional, foundational program that combines didactic and hands-on training for endoscope reprocessing. It speaks to standards, as well as recommendations and instructions from manufacturers. It is important because endoscope reprocessing requires more than just following instructions for completing; it requires an understanding of the rationale for the processes, as well as the development of skills in performing such. What follows is hardwiring the practices.

SGNA: Why did you get involved in Train the Trainer?

BM: Correctly reprocessing scopes and understanding the rationale for the steps is vital for infection prevention in our practice. I enjoy teaching, as well, and feel that this is an investment toward ensuring patient safety.

SGNA: What are some of the key difference you’ve seen in the past few years in regard to infection prevention and safety training?   

BM: There is much more attention toward infection prevention and safety training, particularly in regard to medical devices such as endoscopes, largely due to reported outbreaks, as well as articles revealing research in such areas as persistent contamination of endoscopes. 

SGNA: What is the most common mistake people make when cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes?  BM: Omission of steps such as aspirating/suctioning to remove brushed debris, and providing adequate endoscope drying using forced air. I also find there is a general lack of knowledge around following the manual steps and using all the intended accessories for example, in the event the AER is not available for reprocessing, which requires total manual reprocessing.

SGNA: What are some of the things people can expect to learn at Train the Trainer?

BM: They will learn how to reprocess an endoscope in a safe, non-threatening environment. They will work one-on-one with a qualified SGNA trainer and come away from the table having demonstrated the steps specific to the manufacturer of their facility’s endoscopes. 

SGNA: If someone was on the fence about attending this event, what would you tell them? 

BM: Accurate endoscope reprocessing is important – not only to the staff performing it, but also to those who supervise staff who are reprocessing. The accountability rests on the shoulders of the leaders. This is seen in documents from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as from regulatory agencies, such as the Joint Commission. Investment in this program offers leaders the opportunity to better understand the expectations for reprocessing, and they will be better equipped with supportive rationale for appropriate resources. It offers reprocessors and educators the chance to either learn for the first time or to solidify their current skills and knowledge in reprocessing, as well as learning updates in processes. I would venture to say that even “experienced” reprocessors will come away with some additional pieces of information.

SGNA: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

BM: Train the Trainer offers networking opportunities in reprocessing, with others in attendance, as well as with specific trainers.  Information from recent survey experiences is shared, as well. Experienced trainers are able to answer questions, either at the event, or following the training. 

Train the Trainer takes place on Saturday, Nov. 17, in Atlanta. Learn more and register today.