Ideas That Work: Is Your Staff Up for the ‘Nitpicking Needle Challenge’?

Looking for a fun way to spice up your next staff meeting or in-service? Gather 10 to 20 needle holders that have at least one thing wrong with them — a cracked box lock, chipped insert, loose ratchet — and throw in a couple needle holders that are in perfect condition. Mix them up and lay them all out in a numbered sequence. “Start a timer and have staff members pick up and inspect the holders and tell you what, if anything, is wrong with each one,” says Hank Balch, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, founder and president of Beyond Clean, a clinical education company for sterile processing professionals. Laying out the holders in an office allows one staff member at a time to complete the challenge without revealing the answers to colleagues. They can write down their responses on an answer sheet or share them verbally. “The staff member with the fastest time and the most correct answers wins a prize, such as a gift card, candy — or eternal glory,” says Mr. Balch.  OSM