October 2005
 Washington
County Health System Skin
Snoopers Class Enhances
Nursing Assistant Role
and Improves Morale
When the Washington County Health System (WCHS) participated in a national study in 2003, Program Manager Ann Roney found that the prevalence rate for pressure ulcers had risen quite dramatically from previous years. Concerned for the health and welfare of patients at the Hagerstown hospital, Roney developed the “Skin Snooper Specialist” course, designed to train nursing assistants on how to prevent, identify, and treat pressure ulcers. She knew that if nursing assistants were taught what to look for, the problem would be greatly reduced. An added bonus to the program is that it has enhanced the role of nursing assistants while improving morale.
“The nursing assistants are so important in providing care to our patients; they are at the patient’s bedside, day in and day out. They’re the ones that are actually doing a tremendous amount of hands-on care,” said Roney.
Since its inception two years ago, instructors of the Skin Snoopers class have educated at least 150 nursing assistants, and although the course is specifically designed for nursing assistants, other health care providers at the hospital have attended. The class is generally held five times each year.
“It improved my morale just knowing I have the capability to take care of someone with that kind of problem, or even to prevent something from happening,” said Shelly Brechbill--a WCHS nursing assistant who participates in the program.
The full-day program includes lessons on the basic functions of the skin, as well as the process of the skin breakdown when pressure is applied. The course also delves deeply into preventive measures, procedures, and products used to treat the condition.
A hospital dietician teaches the nursing assistants the importance of good nutrition in helping to prevent and heal skin breakdown. A dietician brings food and supplements used to heal pressure ulcers to the course, so the nursing assistants know exactly what the patients are receiving, and how it will help them heal. The course also teaches the nursing assistant hands-on exercises, and trains them on how to position a patient. Specific scenarios are given to the students so they know how to apply the education they have received.
Brechbill thinks that this course provides a wealth of information that, unless you’re given the opportunity to experience, “I don’t think you would grasp the importance of each aspect of the situation,” she said. Brechbill also mentioned that
knowing the specifics of how
to treat pressure ulcers helps
nursing assistants explain to
patients why they should take
certain supplements their physicians
have prescribed.
“It really helps when you can encourage [the patients] when they realize what will help heal the wound,” said Brechbill.
Contact:
Ann Roney
Program Manager, Wound/Ostomy
Services
Washington County Health System
301-790-8000
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