The Nechama Surik Better Hearing Program

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Alfred Lester
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1 The Nechama Surik Better Hearing Program Добро пожаловать, дорогие коллеги. Для меня большая честь и привилегия быть здесь и учиться у вас. Обмен знаниями необычайно и определенно имеет значение. Спасибо. The Nechama Surik Better Hearing Program Copyright 2008 Nechama Surik Brownell & Edwin Orion Brownell All rights reserved

2 My deepest gratitude to: Mrs Lucie Tremblay The President of the order of nurses Quebec, Canada Dr. Martin Black Head Of the ENT department Jewish General Hospital 2

3 I am here to talk about hearing loss I am hear to explain the huge global problem in health care facilities, and in particular within geriatric centres. But before we get to it, a few reminders: 3

4 Causes for Hearing Loss Trauma or injury Exposure to loud noise Recurrent ear infections Medication side effects Hereditary Congenital Aging 4

5 The consequences of neglecting hearing loss Wrong clinical diagnosis. Frustration on the part of patients, and their family. Lack of interest in social activities and family gatherings. Quarrels between spouses and their family Impatience with one another. The result - unpleasant visits. Isolation. Depression. A negative and serious impact on the quality of life of the patient and their entire family. 5

6 Why a hard of hearing person feels embarrassed using a hearing aid? The Stigma of being deaf and dumb Of getting old 6

7 While hearing devices are an embarrassment, eyeglasses are a style?! 7

8 MONEY, MONEY The cost. Lack of knowledge of available options. The involvement of a social worker is beneficial. 8

9 What lead to the initiation of this program? The helplessness of a caregiver. What to do with this thing? To which ear does it belong? Who do I call for help? 9

10 What I saw was a warning alarm RED I NEEDED TO THINK GREEN I NEEDED TO ACT 10

11 A little study in 2004 This was done in a large geriatric centre where I worked. Just under 500 beds. But only 40 residents had hearing aids. I expected a much larger number due to the number of problems that nurses shared with me. 11

12 The result Oy Vey 100% failure 12

13 The devices were found: Broken in the drawer. Broken in the ear. Without batteries. With non-functional batteries. In the ear, on the off mode. Whistling. Too tight in the ear. (Risk for pressure sores.) And more 13

14 Why?? How could this happen in the best geriatric centre?? 14

15 I couldn t understand: Why is this happening? I needed to ask myself, and my manager: Are we, as an establishment, nursing home, hospital (Public or Private) even responsible to help a patient with a hearing aid? 15

16 If we do not act: It s considered to be Neglect, and neglect is a form of ABUSE. We are taking away from the patient the right to use one of the most important senses, which has a significant affect on one s life. This issue affects communication between patient and family, and often creates big arguments. Staff will never know how to deal with the very expensive devices, forcing hospitals and nursing homes to pay a lot of money for lost and broken aids. 16

17 This happens due to lack of education There is no teaching module dealing with hearing loss, and more specifically, with hearing aids and other devices. At times there is some in house training, but there is no follow up or ongoing support. The nursing staff is afraid to touch the expensive devices without training, so they just ignore the issue. NEGLECT is ABUSE. 17

18 This is an international global problem Global problem! 18

19 Something needs to be done Who do you think can make this huge difference? Of Course: NURSES 19

20 This is how The Nechama Surik Better Hearing Program was born It takes ONE nurse who understands the need, and who cares enough to bring it to the attention of a Manager. Not every Manager is from the health sector. My company has certified Ambassadors who travel worldwide to train nurses and other health care professionals. Together we choose the right staff for your organization to lead and teach the program. It is important to include a social worker. Together we build a team of instructors and leaders for the program. 20

21 This is a golden opportunity for nurses and others in the field of geriatrics, to progress professionally, and create best practice protocol. This program is suitable for nurses who are looking for an unusual professional challenge; the first of its kind in the world. It s not rocket science, actually the base is very simple, but it is complicated in other ways. Dedication, and a professional desire to create something that will make a difference are the qualities needed to succeed. 21

22 My message for Managers, Directors and the Doctors among you here today This program is a revolutionary opportunity to attract professionals to a domain which can be draining. The program has a competitive character (in the most positive way), it is educational, it has many interesting clinical aspects to develop, and it will be adapted to your individual needs. It is not an expensive program to integrate, and will save YOU a lot of money on the long run. In terms of advertisement - it will be easy, because there is no such a program in place in Russia, YET. 22

programs Ambassadors and Coordinator will be the key for its success

23 Implementation of the program The Coordinator will need to be liberated in order to teach the staff and develop the program Choosing the programs Ambassadors and Coordinator will be the key for its success You will need to provide an office, phone, computer and necessary equipment. 23

24 TRAINING It takes three days to teach the program. The first day is theory. The second day is practical On the third, and last day, we begin with a real half day clinic with your patients. The other half day is dedicated for recognition and the official opening ceremony. Certificates will be provided for the Ambassadors who participated successfully. 24

Now we will announce the official opening of the program You should invite important partners, the city mayor, government representatives and the media.

25 Now we will announce the official opening of the program You should invite important partners, the city mayor, government representatives and the media. Your hospital or nursing home will receive the certificate of a certified establishment for the hearing program. The Ambassadors will be called to receive their Certificate. 25

26 The use of a hearing aid sounds technical, but it leads to a list of clinical implications. The Ambassador s job is: To develop the program and teach the staff how to deal with the aids. To create with the team the protocols needed. (Ear irrigation protocol, communications with the hard of hearing, and much more). 26

27 The Ambassadors will learn: About the problems associated with hearing loss and hearing devices. How to apply, clean, changes batteries in a hearing aid. How to fix the whistle. To discuss the issues of ear irrigation and protocol options with the Doctor and director of nursing. How to communicate well with the hard of hearing (Don t shout please). About communication and teaching tricks with the family. Charting and delegating. How to decrease the number of cases of lost and broken hearing aids. The DOs and DON Ts we need to teach the bedside care givers. (Not to shower with a hearing aid etc.) 27

28 Hearing loss does not always requires a hearing aid The Ambassador will know to identify clinical issues and initiate the correct response. The important thing for all of us is to: BE AWARE AND CARE Do not neglect the problem and blame it on age. 28

29 THE TEAM The entire team will be involved from the Doctor to house keeping. This is the beauty of the program: Everyone has a role according to their title. 29

30 Ambassador Support The Ambassador will receive a professional working kit to resolve technical problems. A hand book with all the info. All the tools needed to get support from The Nechama Surik Better Hearing Program. 30

31 Recycling program 31

32 Start collecting used hearing aids Start collecting used hearing aids, and any used hearing devices. I will teach you how to recycle them. Do not attempt to try this without training. There are legal and infection control guidelines to follow. 32

33 PROTOCOLS It s important to use gloves when dealing with hearing aides. Infection control guidelines need to be followed. Your Ambassadors will learn to recycle the aids. There are many issues here, and both practically and legally this is the most complicated task of the program. 33

34 The Ambassadors will teach During regular working hours. This prevents extra expense of employee liberation. Short workshops of 30-45min. How to: adjust volume, clean, ensure proper safe storage, and all the DOs and DON Ts of hearing aid maintenance. That proper documentation will save a great deal of headache to all involved, especially through decreasing legal incident reports. 34

35 Ambassador Training Will start with a management meeting. C the right program Ambassadors and their one Coordinator. This is THE key for success. Liberate the Coordinator to built the program, and teach the others. It s very beneficial to have a social worker as a part of the team. 35

36 Regular clinic days & hours are important 36

37 My Walk-In clinic 37

38 What a great feeling it is to start a new project that contributes significantly to improving the quality of life for so many 38

39 Everything is possible when we all work together. 39

THE NECHAMA SURIK BETTER HEARING PROGRAM nechamasurik@gmail.

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