A large part of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) implementation across Northern Health is ensuring staff are adequately trained using the new system and are confident using it.

Navigating Northern Health through EMR training is Cliff Wiltshire, our new EMR Training Manager.

Prior to joining the Northern Health EMR Project, Cliff worked at Austin Health, delivering training to all clinical groups, from induction to the implement of new functionality within the EMR.

“My knowledge of the clinical system, from design, implementation, and support, will help to provide a clear understanding of the current EMR functionality and how this will be incorporated in the day to day care of patients at Northern Health. Training will be delivered as ‘role-specific’ training that is focused on roles and responsibilities within the specific clinical environment,” Cliff explained.

Cliff has recently developed the EMR training strategy and will be meeting with the Training Advisory Committee for further guidance on moving forward with training. The Training Advisory Committee is a collection of educators from throughout Northern Health, representing each clinical group including allied health, medical, nursing, clerical and HIS staff.

Training will officially begin mid next year but, in the lead up, Cliff encourages end-users (staff who will be using the EMR) to start engaging with their EMR champions who have up-to-date information the EMR team are providing them month to month. Engaging with your champions is a great way to get involved. Also, check the EMR website regularly for latest updates on the project.

Before training starts for end-users, the EMR team will be looking for super users – staff who will support end-users at go-live.

“Staff who are thinking about being a part of the super user process, which is an ongoing support role, should bring this to the attention of their NUM early,” Cliff said.

The final training program will include a full instructor-led program and may also incorporate some eLearning processes as well as simulations on the wards, so staff can become familiar with things like medication administration, using barcode scanners for positive patient identification, and processes for linking patient bedside monitors and IV pumps to the patient centralise EMR.

One key message Cliff wants staff to understand is that “training is essential”. The EMR team are working towards a vision of ‘no training – no access’, as it is essential that staff have been trained adequately to ensure our patients receive the safest care.

“Patients are at the centre of everything we do, so we need to ensure all of our documentation is done correctly, so the patient can be cared for and treated appropriately moving forward,” Cliff explained.

In addition to this, Cliff wants staff to know, “training is going to be fun! It’s going to be as light as possible and will be essential to your work environment, so we will not teach you things that you won’t need to use – we’re going to focus on your environment and, therefore, focus on the most important things,” Cliff added.

“Our training program will also be an environment where anything is possible – there are no stupid questions. If staff see me out and about in the corridors and they have a burning question, ask me the question – I am more than happy to answer it. No one should ever feel intimidated to ask a question.”

Watch this space… more information regarding training will be provided in the coming months.