Open Forum

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for activities that are beneficial to Medical Assistant (MA) engagement (hopefully resulting in retention). Of course, more money is always great but out of my control. I am thinking maybe an accomplishment board for example. Split the MAs into groups, or teams, and monitor the success of something, perhaps complete vital signs documented on all patients over a month, using a sampling of charts to audit. The winning team would get some sort of prize/award (any ideas?). Other areas we are struggling with include doing A1Cs by protocol order on DM patients who are due, so that the result is available to provider before seeing patient. Hopefully improving flow and efficiency.

The list could go on. How to improve teamwork and communication. Staying on task with assigned daily chores (stocking rooms, checking expirations etc.). We are a large Family Care Center that sees about 150 patients a day.

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Carol OMara MSN RN
CNEMG Family Care Center
Pawtucket RI
(401) 499-4627
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Hi Carol,

I used to manage a Diabetes/endo clinic. We used standing orders to allow our medical assistants to collect blood glucose readings and A1C before the provider saw the patient. Our machines upload directly to Epic so the results were there as soon as the test was run. 

In terms of engagement, I want to say @Sharon Peacock spoke about a CMA conference. JJ was that you? I'm in a couple of different NPD groups so if it wasn't, I'll try to track down who it was that spoke about doing this for their CMA staff. 

Other ideas could be celebrating Medical Assistant Week, which is coming up in October (AAMA - MARWeek (aama-ntl.org)) I have heard of organizations doing professional development offerings like lunch and learns, etc. during this time. Perhaps your MD's would want to put on some lunch and learns for the staff about some common things they see in clinic? 

Last idea would be a CMA clinical ladder. at UNC we have a CMA I-III and you get promoted along that ladder through professional development activities and taking on more responsibility in clinic. 

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Torie Bonnet MSN RN NE-BC NPD-BC
Clinical Nurse Education Specialist
UNC Health
Raleigh NC

torie.bonnet@unchealth.unc.edu
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Hi Lisa,

I love the KUDOs Board. I think it will be great for them to have this kind of positive feedback. Also like the idea of an improvement board. We are still working on completing all vs every visit, but this could also be an improvement metric that we could publish within the department. 

Great ideas!

Thank you,

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Carol OMara MSN RN
The Miriam Hospital
Coventry RI
(401) 499-4627
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2024 09:07
From: Lisa Dutton
Subject: Engaging Medical Assistants

Good morning,

 

Many of our practices have a KUDOs board in their break room where staff can crab a post-it to say thank you to their colleagues.

"Thanks for your help Mike rooming my double-booked patient" Thanks Jane, for covering me" They can be anonymous, team focused, or individual focused."

We also run reports in epic on fall screening for example, and in addition to identifying areas of opportunity for individuals or groups, the managers will send kudos to the staff and teams when completion rates are high or improving.  

Also, Medical Assistant week is the third week on October- you could have a fun activity, treats or food on different days that week!!

 

Our clinics with higher A1c reporting needs utilize the POC equipment Hgb A1 DCA Vantage Analyzer. The result is electronically transmitted to the chart.

 

 

Lisa

_____________________

Lisa C. Dutton, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, NE-BC

Professional Development Manager, BWH Department of Ambulatory Nursing 

Co-chair; MGB Ambulatory Nurse Council

Clinical Director, MGB Nurse Hotline

Operations Lead, MGB COVID Outpatient Therapies

 

 

Brigham and Women's Hospital

75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115

M: 603-479-7468 T: 617-525-7789

brighamandwomens.org

 

 

 

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Original Message:
Sent: 9/9/2024 4:12:00 PM
From: Carol OMara
Subject: RE: Engaging Medical Assistants

Hi Lisa,

I love the KUDOs Board. I think it will be great for them to have this kind of positive feedback. Also like the idea of an improvement board. We are still working on completing all vs every visit, but this could also be an improvement metric that we could publish within the department. 

Great ideas!

Thank you,

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Carol OMara MSN RN
The Miriam Hospital
Coventry RI
(401) 499-4627
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Hi Torie,

I would love to implement a clinical ladder for the MAs unfortunately, no funds. I like the idea of lunch and learn. We have some training coming up for retinal scanners and ear lavage. 

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Carol OMara MSN RN
The Miriam Hospital
Coventry RI
(401) 499-4627
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