Tips, Tools, and Tricks for PCT and EKG Programs

1. Tips, Tools, and Tricks for PCT and EKG Programs W. Lynne Clarke, Ed.D., RN W.L. Clarke Consulting Graniteville, SC

2. Beginning a Program • Parent/student information meetings • School board approved “Informed Consent” • Establish clinical contracts with area healthcare facilities • Establish relationship with testing agency: National Healthcare Association (nhanow.com) National Center for Competency Testing (ncctinc.com) • Acquire equipment

3. C.N.A. Skills in Common With PCT Bedmaking Bathing Transfers Catheter Care ADL’s Oxygen Feeding tube care I & O ROM Skin care CPR TED hose Vital signs PPEConsent Infection Control Plan of Care HIPAA Post mortem care Report abnormal findings Emotional support Assess pain/edema Admission/Discharge/Transfer Assist with prosthetic/orthotic devices Beginning and ending procedures

4. PCT Skills 12 Lead EKG Basic Arrhythmia recognition Holter monitor Emergency response Stress testing Monitor patient during blood transfusion Phlebotomy Point of care testing Specimen collection Remove peripheral IV’s Aseptic/Sterile dressing change Splints Ostomy Care Oxygen administration Handheld nebulizer Assist patient to take prescribed meds

5. EKG Skills – Dysrhythmia Recognition • Teach basic cardiac anatomy • Teach basics – waves, complexes, intervals, etc. • Teach EKG paper measurements • Teach steps to interpret • Use technology resources to show relationship between mechanical and electrical activity • Go over each type of dysrhythmia – have students complete reference chart • Use sample 6 – second strips to have teams work to identify.

6. Basic Cardiac Anatomy • Resources • Anatomy and Physiology Coloring Books • nhlbi.nih.gov • Anatomy OpenHeart info app for iPad • Dissect pig hearts

7. ID the Strip Game • Form teams • Give out copies of six-second strips • Allow students to use hallmark charts to attempt to identify strip • Keep score and give “prizes” • Encourage students to keep strips to use as study examples • High tech – put every strip into Power Point and use Notability • Low tech – use large post-it note paper on white board

8. Example

9. Phlebotomy • Preanalytical errors • Venipuncture sites • Order of the Draw • Tube additives

10. Pre-analytical Errors • 70% of ALL medical care is based on clinical laboratory tests! • Pre-analytical tests occur BEFORE the specimen ever reaches the lab • Errors can result in patient treatment mistakes! • www.labresultsforlife.org

11. Phlebotomy practice • Obtain a laboratory requisition form from your local lab. You can make multiple copies or laminate several for reuse. • Make ID bracelets using generic male and female names and birthdays. • Have student acting as “patient” strap on Venatech trainer and ID bracelet. Complete a requisition and give it to the student “phlebotomist”. • Creates a more realistic practice situation than using expensive practice arms.

12. Cardio Chek

13. Phlebotomy Resources • www.wlclarke.weebly.com • http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/PHLEB/PHLEB.html • Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc. • www.phlebotomy.com • $699 for 3 videos • Basic Venipuncture • Preventing Pre-Analytical Errors • Skin Puncture And Newborn Screening

14. Other resources • Lifeinthefastlane.com • Great EKG resources • Vhlab.umn.edu • Wlclarke.weebly.com • Live Binder • http://www.livebinder.com/play/play?id=1493572 • Access Code ARJHSPCT

15. Parent Meeting • Explain duties of PCT or EKG Tech • Explain classroom, clinical and lab experiences • Give out required school and clinical site forms • Explain that students will be preforming dermal punctures and venipunctures under supervision in lab and clinical settings • Explain student immunization requirements – TB, flu, etc. • Explain course content – • Rote memorization • Critical thinking • Hands-on application

16. Informed Consent • Must be board approved for invasive procedures • Usually board attorney is consulted to develop this document • Must be signed by parent and student • Must be on file at school • Sample document on my web site

17. Clinical Contracts • Contract must be specific to include invasive procedures if doing PCT program • Meet with the person who will be directly responsible for supervising phlebotomy – do they have special requirements or procedures • If the facility already has a relationship with a college or technical college in your area, ask for a Word copy of that contract and change it for your use. • For free liability insurance contact your local Boy Scout Council

18. Clinical Sites • County Health Department • Labs • Doctor’s Offices • Hospitals

19. Alternate Clinical Opportunities • You can also bring the clinical opportunity the student: • Offer fasting blood sugar testing to the faculty and staff • Ask a local lab to run cholesterol testing for faculty and staff on blood drawn by the students • Ask your hospital or local facility to provide health screening that your students can assist with

20. Certification Test Preparations • Contact them to find out the rep for your area • Obtain approval for you program from agency • Print test plan • Consider ordering test preparation materials

21. Acquire EquipmentBP cuffs – students should purchaseMoore Medical

22. Acquire EquipmentPhlebotomy • Issue each student a set of basic phlebotomy equipment and a zip lock bag • Use that equipment to practice on tangerine or banana BEFORE using manikin arm! • Break skills down into small steps

23. Acquire Equipment Phlebotomy

24. AcquireEquipment - Phlebotomy • Talk with local labs, hospitals and MD offices for expired or unused supplies

25. Acquire EquipmentBlood Glucose Monitors • Get name of representative for type of monitor used by your local providers. • Contact the rep for that company and BEG!

26. Textbooks? I have not found a good, single textbook so… I used 3 books: - a C.N.A. text - a Phlebotomy text - an EKG text

27. Test Prep • Students fail tests for 3reasons: • Don’t know material • Don’t read question – not good at multiple choice questions • Not familiar with terminology

28. Daily Reviews • Put 5-10 multiple choice questions on Power Point and make it a bell ringer

29. The best thing about the shops at the Canal at the Venice Casino was: • A. the slot machines • B. the exclusive, expensive shops • C. the cheap taxi fare to get there • D. the chocolate covered strawberries at the Godiva Chocolate Shop

30. The best thing about the shops at the Canal at the Venice Casino was: • A. the slot machines • B. the exclusive, expensive shops • C. the cheap taxi fare to get there • D. the chocolate covered strawberries at the Godiva Chocolate Shop

31. Contact Info • W. Lynne Clarke • 204 Marshall St. • Graniteville, SC 29829 • 706-799-3460 • wlclarke58@gmail.com