Silver and Gold Lung Competencies

Silver Lung Training (Competency requirements and clinical training)
Definitions
Silver Lungs- Earned by therapy staff and nursing that have completed all training requirements for Tracheostomy Transport Training.

Policy
Suctioning is a shared procedure that is performed by nursing, respiratory, and therapy staff that have completed Tracheostomy Transport Training (Silver Lungs) as often as needed to maintain a patent airway. Suction competency at MFB is defined by successful completion of the following:
a. Demonstrated proper technique on a Simulation Model
b. Yearly reassessment for suction competency will be assessed by department leadership.

Competency Training
a. Staff attend tracheostomy transport training with content led by Respiratory Educator (Content competencies to follow).
b. Objectives of silver lung training:
a. Knowledge of “Go Bag” contents and importance of contents during transport.
b. Knowledge of troubleshooting options for artificial airways
c. Demonstrate competency of Sterile Suctioning Via Artificial Airway on Simulation Model
d. Demonstrate competency for Manual Ventilation with Resuscitation Bag via Artificial Airway

Clinical Mentoring
a. Once the staff have completed tracheostomy transport training and education led by the Respiratory Educator, their clinical team leaders and the scheduling department are alerted that they are “Silver Lungs Certified.”
b. Next, staff will be assigned a patient with a tracheostomy and a clinical mentor to assist with the plan of care. Depending on the staff’s level of need, they may request a clinical mentor for evaluation and assessment (Dysphagia, Speaking Valve, Decannulation goals), if it is appropriate for new learning.
c. Once staff are deemed “Competent” by both their clinical leader for establishing a plan of care and after completing the Silver Lungs training with the RT, they are marked as “Independent to treat trach patients/Silver Lungs Certified” for both weekday and weekend treatment.

Gold Lungs Training (Competency requirements and clinical training)
Definitions
Gold Lungs- Earned by therapy staff and nursing that have completed all training requirements for Ventilator Transport Training.

Policy
MFB Ventilator Competent Clinician Competency – Upon successful completion of this competency, the licensed clinical staff (RN, LPN, PT, OT, SLP, and TR) will demonstrate basic vent care competency that includes inline suctioning, transporting of the mechanical ventilated patient, monitoring requirements, and basic alarm response and troubleshooting. Staff will have also completed all the following:
a. Mary Free Bed Trach Competent clinician
b. In-line suction competency
c. Manual resuscitation to tracheostomy
d. Score 100% on knowledge-based competency quiz

Competency Training
a. Staff attend Ventilator transport and management training led by Respiratory educator and pass competency modules.

Clinical Mentoring
a. Once the staff have completed Ventilator transport and management training led by the Respiratory Educator, their clinical team leaders and the scheduling department are alerted that they are “Gold Lungs Certified.”
b. Next, staff will be assigned a patient who is on a ventilator and a clinical mentor to assist with the plan of care. Depending on the staff’s level of need, they may request a clinical mentor for evaluation and assessment (Dysphagia, Speaking Valve, Vent liberation goals), if it is appropriate for new learning.
c. Once staff are deemed “Competent” by both their clinical leader for establishing a plan of care and after completing the Gold Lungs training with the RT, they are marked as “Independent to treat trach patients/Silver Lungs Certified” for both weekday and weekend treatment.