Transforming SANBS by embracing change and empowering our people

to deliver outstanding results through our research & development, and learning academy

One of the current highlights at SANBS’ is the Research, Advisory and Development (RAD) Academy , and Learning Academy. The vision of the RAD Centre is to “future-proof SANBS, its people, products and processes” in support of the SANBS iHEALTh strategy. In the medium term, this will require a number of strategic goals that will operationalise the RAD Centre. The Academy started with the organisation recalibrating its approach to transform learning and innovation. The Academy has four bold goals, each of which are underpinned by clear objectives and associated deliverables.

Goals

Implement a business aligned business structure:

Governance, human resource and infrastructure developed to support the successful implementation and execution of the Academy Strategy

Objectives
  • Implement appropriate operating model
  • Recruit the "right academy Team" to implement and embed the Academy vision and strategy
DELIVERABLES AND NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS 2021

ICT and digital infrastructure plan

  • K2 application developed to support research data capturing capacity
  • Lynx virtual research application developed to support the PROTECT Covid-19 clinical trial

Operating space and laboratory infrastructure plan

  • Architectural plans for CELLTAN lab at 11 Eton Road have been completed
Goals

EXPAND KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION:

Knowledge translated into improvements in transfusion medicine practices and blood service quality

Objectives
  • Increase research output in terms of quality, quantity and impact
  • Apply knowledge produced to improve transfusion medicine practices and enhance the quality of blood services and products
DELIVERABLES AND NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS 2021

Research publications produced

  • Haemovigilance Report
  • Clinical Use And Effectiveness of Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma
  • Manuscripts:
    • Prevalence of undisclosed ART using among blood donors
    • Mind the gap: Patterns of red blood cell product usages in South Africa 2014-2019
    • 5-year review of SANBS donor deferral patterns

Research collaborations established

  • Conducted Webinar in collaboration with Vitalant on “ SARS-CoV-2 research and surveillance in blood donors in the US”
  • “Comparative evaluation of 21 commercially available SARS-CoV-2 serological assays”

External research funding secured

  • R4 mill ELMA Foundation Grant secured

Post-Grad research training programme established

  • Draft “Graduate Support Program” document developed for the Clinical Governance Committee and HR and Remuneration Committee approval
Goals

STRUCTURED KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION:

Technical assistance that enables policy framework development, institutional and infrastructure design required to run an effective blood service

Objectives
  • Build blood transfusion and related health sciences capacity among healthcare workers
    • Build institutional and organisational capability in the field of blood transfusion
DELIVERABLES AND NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS 2021

Blood transfusion science included in tertiary curricula

  • Planned blood transfusion science lectures for 2021 confirmed with Limpopo University

Standardised training programmes (PBM, New Products)

  • Service provider allocated for creation of eLearning Modules from standardised transfusion related topics for digital learning platform
  • Young doctors programme:
    • Interns induction: recording of all HLO`s and BCO`s, were used in Q4 2021 for various hospital training and ongoing
    • Induction booklet drafted, designed and loaded onto SAP system, for circulation to hospital interns
    • Provincial coordinators positively received SANBS training plans and the national plan to train all young doctors
  • Conducted webinar on PBM, Appropriate Transfusion Strategies and Digital Learning Portal Navigation

Effective knowledge dissemination platforms and design thinking through Innovation

  • Developed Digital Learning Platform with mobile interface
    • Project completed with Library content expanded over 50 modules
    • Bookboon Digital Learning Platform: Usage is currently 738 (48%) unique users; 3980 eBooks and audios downloaded, representing an average of 4, 7 learning items per person. Overall satisfaction, i.e. Net Promoter Score is currently 9.23 out of 10 points
    • Continuous monitoring and evaluation of platform usage and impact on both internal and external HCP`s

Capacity building partnerships established

  • Established partnerships with the Medical Schools at Limpopo, WITS and University of Free State
  • 3 SANBS staff appointed as UFS lecturers and 4 additional SANBS staff requested to assist with short course development for University of Free State
  • Continuous collaboration and cross functional teams within SANBS
Goals

CREATE A RENEWAL AND PROACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

A motivated workforce with the appropriate mix of scientific, people and business skills to successfully execute the SANBS mandate of saving lives.

Objectives
  • Embed and position the learning and skills development process for critical skills development and maximum return for business
  • Design and execute flagship leadership development programmes that translate in behavioural change
  • Build a thinking a learning culture, through focussed capability & development plans and programmes
  • Develop a clearly defined Learning Strategy
  • Implement processes and systems that support knowledge management and innovation
DELIVERABLES AND NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS 2021

Structured and blended leadership development initiatives for all levels

  • Team and performance coaching implemented where support was required
  • #360 feedback for 2020 iteration - more than 400 participants, leaders and specialists
  • Self-Development Programmes through the introduction of Wits Digital Campus
  • Integrated Leadership Framework, which resulted in a focussed coaching journey and 37 staff currently participating
    • All coaching journeys completed with final reports submitted to business
    • New Managers Programme, Management Advancement Programme and Executive Development Programme, to be launched, in partnership with Wits University and the University of Free State
  • Self-Development Programmes through the introduction of Wits Digital Campus
    • 100 participants were enrolled in second intake (June 2020), achieving a 100% retention rate and 92 % pass rate
    • Application Process for Cohort 3 to be released

Content libraries (internal and external)

  • National Learning café`s and CPD opportunity meetings held
    • There were 14 educational sessions held in Q4, whereby 532 staff were upskilled with CPD opportunities
  • Infographics, digital wraps and videos created and disseminated to internal stakeholders, healthcare workers and the general public
  • Service level agreements signed with Medpages to increase scope (i.e. number of Healthcare workers on SANBS database) and Essential Medical Guidelines (EMG) app to diversify training to other digital apps for quick dissemination of information whenever required

The RAD Academy is a demonstration of collaboration that we are proud of between the Human Capital Management, Medical Divisions, and the rest of the organisation, in that all our learning is driven through the academy for internal and external stakeholders. We use the Academy to embed our performance and culture programmes and to support all the development interventions for SANBS’ ethics programme which is ongoing.

Outlook

There are several initiatives planned which include:

  • developing dual career pathways
  • upgrading our learning portal to feature additional digital elements
  • formalising our postgraduate and technical mentorship programs
  • continued support of the ethics programme