Ensuring VAD Educational Opportunities for Staff during COVID-19: A New Platform for Education

Study: VAD programs are mandated by The Joint Commission to ensure that staff have VAD education and competency training. In 2020 VAD programs were challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the inability of staff to meet in-person. VAD programs needed to create virtual platforms to ensure that staff were trained. Methods: The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) VAD Program in collaboration with MGH Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical and Professional Development created 3 virtual platforms for training: VAD Awareness (for employees), VAD Educated (for nurses), and VAD 101 (for providers). Presentations were recorded on Zoom video conferencing and posted on a learning system where staff were assigned to take a course. Pre and post tests were given, and nurses could obtain nursing contact hours (CEUs). Presentations were also housed on a VAD Share Point site;accessible via computer and smart phone.VAD education was held via video conference during the pandemic. Remote access enabled staff to take classes which were previously held in-person allowing for continuing education and CEUs. Staff attendance varied from 10-50 attendees per session and evaluation forms revealed a high success rate. Staff who were unable to attend and who would have missed sessions, now had the ability to enroll when convenient. A clinical library of courses was created and assigned for staff to prove compliance with annual education. Results: VAD programs can ensure training compliance despite the COVID-19 pandemic by using virtual platforms and clinical libraries. Coordinating efforts with the nursing education department offers an opportunity for Joint Commission survey readiness - further expanding access to educational opportunities.