What is the best method for determining the effectiveness of a staff development program for managing IV puncture sites?

The best method for determining the effectiveness of a staff development program for managing IV puncture sites is to observe staff implement and document the changes recommended. This approach directly assesses the practical application of the training within a clinical setting, allowing for a clear evaluation of whether the staff can translate learned concepts and skills into their daily practice. Observing staff as they apply new techniques verifies their understanding and competency and reveals changes in behavior that can lead to improved patient outcomes, such as reduced infection rates.

In addition, documentation by staff provides tangible evidence of their adherence to the protocols learned during the training, enabling evaluation of compliance and effectiveness over time. This real-world application and follow-through can offer direct insights into the impact of the development program, including identifying any barriers to implementing best practices.

While evaluations from participants and examinations can provide useful feedback on the perceived quality of the training and knowledge acquisition, they do not measure actual changes in practice or patient outcomes. Furthermore, a decrease in IV site infections is an important outcome that may suggest effectiveness; however, this could result from various factors beyond the training provided, making it harder to attribute causation solely to the development program. Observing implementation and documentation allows for a clearer line of sight from training to practice change and patient safety improvements