Broadway Pentecostal has eight committees involved with planning events and clinical training on initiatives such as the POCA. These committees include The Wound Care Team, Falls Prevention Team, SPINE (MSIP) Team, Pain and Palliative Team, Purple Wave Team (aggressive behaviour), Infection Control Team, OH&S Team and The Broadway Social. The committees are multidisciplinary in their membership, including RNs, LPNs, care aides, dietary staff, housekeeping, recreational aides, and the leadership team. In addition, the committees often collaborate in rolling out initiatives. For instance, during their Safety Week, Broadway Pentecostal’s OH&S Team, SPINE Team, Purple Wave Team and The Broadway Social planned the week’s events.

Broadway Pentecostal has evolved its training model around initiatives like POCA to bring education to its staff versus bringing its staff to education sessions. In the past, Broadway Pentecostal had found that conducting formal staff training sessions at a set time (e.g. 2:00 p.m.) wasn’t an effective way to engage with the team, as education often took a backseat to other priorities on the floor for staff. Two years ago, they tried a different approach by using an “educational cart” approach to bring a team of fellow peer trainers to each floor to provide on-the-spot training. The carts incorporate fun with education by using games to communicate key points and giving out small prizes. This approach has been incredibly successful in removing barriers to staff participation. The feedback from the staff has been very positive, and voluntary engagement in education has significantly increased since this approach was adopted.

These various programs and committees have caused positive changes at Broadway Pentecostal, especially with staff involvement. “We have seen tremendous changes with regard to staff morale,” said Virginia Carino, care coordinator at Broadway Pentecostal. “They don’t feel like they are obligated to attend training, and sometimes they are the ones requesting if the training can come to them.”

If you would like to learn more about the safety and health programs in place at Broadway Pentecostal Lodge, you can contact Virginia Carino, care coordinator, by email at vcarino@broadwaylodge.ca or by phone at 604-733-1441 (ext. 234)