Developing the Numerical Competence of the Current and Future Nursing Workforce through the Use of a Standardized Numerical Assessment Process to Protect Patients
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Abstract
Background
Debates around a lack of numeracy skills in society in general, plus an increased focus on patient safety, has led the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to introduce mandatory numeracy assessment during key stages of pre registration nurse education (NMC 2008). The need for improved numeracy training and assessment is not restricted to the nursing workforce alone. Errors in medication delivery due to prescribing or administering the wrong dose remain a common cause of patient safety incidents reported to the National Patient Safety Agency's National Reporting and Learning Service and a leading cause of serious incidents (Sabin, 2001) In paediatric practice, almost half of the medication errors reported are related to the wrong or unclear dose or strength of medicine (NPSA, 2009)
More and more service provider organisations across the region were beginning to independently assess new and existing members of staff entering their employment proving both time consuming and expensive, with variable standards and expectations being reported by newly qualified nurses and doctors.
This presentation describes the development of and demonstrates the use of a standardised web based assessment tool designed and implemented by a cross sector collaboration of key healthcare and educational Organisations throughout the Northwest region of the UK. Over 64 NHS Trusts throughout the UK have introduced the SNAP Numeracy tool as a learning aid to support new and existing staff with numeracy development, but also as part of the admission process for newly qualified nursing staff through providing evidence of numerical competence and confidence.
The standardised assessments SNAP provides the means to ensure the level of numeracy skills of staff entering the NHS will be equal throughout the UK which in turn, has reduced costs for NHS Organisations regarding further training and development of new and existing staff, but also provides assurance that their staff are working with the correct level of numeracy when dealing with patient medication administration and drug calculations.
The SNAP initiative has over 4000 users per month actively developing their skills and being assessed formally to assure numerical competence. The introduction of the SNAP resource into the NHS has strengthened the focus on numerical education to improve patient safety.
This presentation will share the principle behind the development and its pedagogical platform, the importance of strong collaborative relationships to encourage adoption and spread aligned with supportive HR policies to manage staff in difficulty.
Debates around a lack of numeracy skills in society in general, plus an increased focus on patient safety, has led the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to introduce mandatory numeracy assessment during key stages of pre registration nurse education (NMC 2008). The need for improved numeracy training and assessment is not restricted to the nursing workforce alone. Errors in medication delivery due to prescribing or administering the wrong dose remain a common cause of patient safety incidents reported to the National Patient Safety Agency's National Reporting and Learning Service and a leading cause of serious incidents (Sabin, 2001) In paediatric practice, almost half of the medication errors reported are related to the wrong or unclear dose or strength of medicine (NPSA, 2009)
More and more service provider organisations across the region were beginning to independently assess new and existing members of staff entering their employment proving both time consuming and expensive, with variable standards and expectations being reported by newly qualified nurses and doctors.
This presentation describes the development of and demonstrates the use of a standardised web based assessment tool designed and implemented by a cross sector collaboration of key healthcare and educational Organisations throughout the Northwest region of the UK. Over 64 NHS Trusts throughout the UK have introduced the SNAP Numeracy tool as a learning aid to support new and existing staff with numeracy development, but also as part of the admission process for newly qualified nursing staff through providing evidence of numerical competence and confidence.
The standardised assessments SNAP provides the means to ensure the level of numeracy skills of staff entering the NHS will be equal throughout the UK which in turn, has reduced costs for NHS Organisations regarding further training and development of new and existing staff, but also provides assurance that their staff are working with the correct level of numeracy when dealing with patient medication administration and drug calculations.
The SNAP initiative has over 4000 users per month actively developing their skills and being assessed formally to assure numerical competence. The introduction of the SNAP resource into the NHS has strengthened the focus on numerical education to improve patient safety.
This presentation will share the principle behind the development and its pedagogical platform, the importance of strong collaborative relationships to encourage adoption and spread aligned with supportive HR policies to manage staff in difficulty.
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