Diaverum education programme Competence in Practice re-accredited by EDTNA/ERCA

Munich, 10 September 2014: The Diaverum Competence in Practice (CiP) programme, a pillar of the broader Diaverum nurse education programme, has been re-accredited for three years by the European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA). The unique education package consists of four training modules and is designed to promote patient safety and a high standard of patient care via continuous nurse education. The CiP is mandatory in all 18 countries worldwide, in which Diaverum operates kidney centres. The re-accreditation for this internal training programme will run until August 2017.

The EDTNA/ERCA Accreditation Committee recognised the CiP as “highly commended”. The committee cited the ongoing developments of the e-learning programme, the development and delivery of programmes in additional languages (Romanian and Russian), the successful rollout of the programme across 226 clinics and the utilisation of a standardised evaluation into one report as just some of the positive attributes which earned the CiP programme its re-accreditation.

Maria Saraiva, Senior Director of Education and head of nurse education within the Diaverum Academy, described the re-accreditation as a “quality stamp” for Diaverum. “This adds extra credibility to our nurses’ continuous professional development” . She also commented, that “Diaverum accomplishes education through a planned and systematic approach following the promulgated standards of academic, continuing and in-service education. Diaverum integrates both formal and informal education with research and practice to meet the needs of practitioners at all levels.”

Nursing education at Diaverum is developed to a customized method, aligning orientation, competency assessment, continuing education and auditing. The renal care provider encourages the nurses to participate in the development of education programmes.

Specialized and advanced education to improve the quality of life of renal patients

Prof Giovanni Strippoli, Senior Vice President Scientific Affairs at Diaverum and Chairman of the Diaverum Academy, comments that education is a “fundamental component” in the culture and outcomes of a company like Diaverum and that Diaverum intends to invest substantially in this area.

“The nursing care of the patient and in particular the dialysis therapy places great demands on nurses’ knowledge and skills. We are focussed on making sure that all staff, including physicians, nurses and managers, receive specialized and advanced education to promote knowledge, high clinical performance and innovation, that improve the quality of life of renal patients,” he said.

Jan Cowperthwaite, Diaverum’s Director of Clinical Education, said this re-accreditation shows we are doing the “right things” with the CiP. “The Accreditation Committee wanted to see that we have made progress with the programme, and we have done that by refining a world-class Water Education Programme to expert level and adding the Train the Trainer Programme, as well as making improvements to existing areas and providing a detailed plan for future development in educational programmes.”

The Committee also made a recommendation for future consideration towards the CiP concerning programme delivery across the Diaverum countries, “We will certainly take into consideration the ideas for future development that the EDTNA/ERCA gave as part of the accreditation to ensure the continued strength of the programme,” added Jan.

Four training modules of the CiP

The Competence in Practice (CiP) programme, which is unique to the independent dialysis sector, aims to standardise skills and develop a common competence level throughout the organisation. The Orientation Programme is designed to ensure that all medical staff are able to foster a safe work environment and promote patient safety. The Basic Dialysis Programme includes practical components such as machine handling, vascular access and dialysis delivery, and theory sessions on various aspects including kidney failure, the dialysis treatment, patient assessment and management of emergencies. Its completion verifies that the caregiver is competent to provide dialysis treatments in a safe manner in accordance to the most updated guidelines and internal policies. The Clinical Mentorship Programme prepares mentors for the task of supporting learning in the practice setting. In 2011 the Water Education Programme was introduced and added to the CiP. The aim of this programme is to ensure that everyone with responsibility for any aspect of the water treatment system is able to identify hazards which may create a risk to the patient’s health and safety and take appropriate corrective actions.