HaysMed
Hays Medical Center, in collaboration with the Hays Medical Center Foundation, was pleased to extend an invitation to health care professionals from HaysMed and regional Critical Access hospitals to attend a training event focused on identifying and intervening in cases of human trafficking.
Heidi Olson, RN, MSN, CPN, SANE-P, and founder and president of Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting, presented three two-hour sessions on “Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking: Practical Identification and Interventions for Health care Workers.”
The sessions took place on Feb. 29 and March 1, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options via Zoom.
Over 150 healthcare professionals from HaysMed and regional Critical Access Hospitals participated in the training, with additional remote registrants joining from six different states. Attendees had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of human trafficking and its implications for health care settings, as well as to learn practical strategies for identifying and responding to cases effectively.
Human trafficking is a pressing issue that requires a collective effort to address effectively.
“While being trafficked, 90% of victims interact with health care workers, but they are only identified 5% of the time,” Olson said.
This program was designed to increase the identification of human trafficking and exploitation victims and examine response by hospital staff, forensic nurses, advocates, forensic interviewers and other professionals.
Following this training, the objectives included to apply techniques to identify a trafficking victim in the health care setting, apply ways to build rapport with trafficking victims in the health care setting, identify exploitation situations in the health care setting and examine opportunities to ensure facilities are equipped to handle difficult situations.
Topics from the training also covered the identifying the different types of trafficking victims, social media exploitation and the ideation that victims often choose the "path of least assault."
HaysMed acknowledges the critical role of community support in raising awareness and identifying instances of human trafficking. This recognition is particularly vital in rural Kansas, where access to resources may be limited. By fostering collaboration, education and training opportunities like this one within the community, HaysMed aims to continue to combat human trafficking and provide support to victims in need.
One notable aspect of the training was the availability of continuing education credits for attendees, enabling them to enhance their professional development while contributing to the fight against human trafficking in health care.
By hosting this educational initiative, HaysMed demonstrates its commitment to not only the ongoing education of its staff but also to supporting regional Critical Access Hospital networks in addressing this pressing issue.
HaysMed extends its gratitude to Heidi Olson for sharing her expertise and insights, as well as to all participants for their active engagement and dedication to improving healthcare responses to human trafficking.
For more information on Heidi Olson's Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting, please visit her website at paradigmshifttc.com.
For more information about future educational opportunities and initiatives at HaysMed, contact the Education Department at 785-623-5500.
The HaysMed Human Trafficking Committee includes the following:
Trisha Haskell, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P - Forensic Program Coordinator
Jaylea Black, LSCSW – Oncology Social Worker
Amy Braun, LSCSW – Continuing Care Social Worker
Jeff Brull, Executive Director of the Hays Medical Center Foundation
Amy George, MSN, RN – Emergency Room Supervisor
Shawn Hoss - Safety and Security Manager
Debbie McLaren- Education Course Coordinator
Doris Rack, RN – Nursing NICU
Chris Schumacher, MSN, MS, RN, NPD-BC – Acute Care RN
Jessica Seib, MSN, RN, IBCLC, RNC-OB – Birthing Center Development Coordinator
Leanna Swart, Director of Marketing
Michelle Yohe – HaysMed Office Manager