August 29, 2003
Volume I, Number 7

The Fox Learning Systems - Employee Safety Series

Pittsburgh Gateways’ client Fox Learning Systems, Inc. has released its latest product called FarSight: Employee Safety Series, a computer-based training software package for worker safety in long-term care. Liability and employee safety are top concerns within the industry as nursing homes are ranked by the US Department of Labor as the second most dangerous workplace in the country.

The Employee Safety Series includes an Administrative Data Base, and 6 core curriculum modules:

• Ergonomics and Proper Body Mechanics
• Manual Resident Transfers
• Mechanical Resident Transfers
• Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls
• Safety Caring for Aggressive Residents
• Transitional Return to Work Programs
  

Fox Learning Systems developed a computer based style called Inter-Doc that mixes video documentaries with questions and interactive exercises. This software system uses a TV format rich in video to tell a story while recording the actual experiences of the workers, residents and family members dealing with elder care.

Pittsburgh Gateways assisted FLS in developing a strategic partnership with Royal & SunAlliance (RSA) www.royalsunalliance-usa.com —a large provider of insurance to the healthcare industry. Through this agreement, Royal & SunAlliance underwrote the development cost for the new Employee Safety training modules and offers the series as a value-added service to worker comp clients. Since the national launch of the Employee Safety Series in April 2003, 60 of RSA’s long-term care clients are using the worker safety series.

FarSight: Solutions for Long Term Care was the first series developed by Fox Learning Systems. That curriculum covers training for all aspects of dementia care, depression, the aging process, elder abuse, neglect, psychotropic medications, drug interactions and other topics. A scientific study funded by the National Institute on Aging showed that the FarSight computer training modules resulted in greater retention of the subject matter, and much greater satisfaction and compliance with training. The program has also helped reduce staff turnover, an industry wide problem, by 25%.

Both programs are self-paced, available 24/7, and offer 14 hours of nursing and administrative CEU’s.