HaysMed Hosted Human Trafficking Training Sessions for Healthcare Workers

Hays Medical Center, in collaboration with the Hays Medical Center Foundation, was pleased to extend an invitation to healthcare 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 & President, Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting presented three two-hour sessions on “Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking: Practical Identification and Interventions for Healthcare Workers.” The sessions took place on Thursday, February 29, and Friday, March 1, 2024, 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 healthcare 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. Olson stated, “While being trafficked, 90% of victims interact with healthcare workers, but they are only identified 5% of the time.” 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 healthcare setting, apply ways to build rapport with trafficking victims in the healthcare setting, identify exploitation situations in the healthcare 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 healthcare. 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, please 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

 

About HaysMed

Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center. In addition, HaysMed has earned advanced certification in Infection Prevention.

About HaysMed Foundation

The HaysMed Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Hays Medical Center by securing philanthropic contributions to advance healthcare services, education, and community well-being.