Long-term care is all about change. This, on top of the everyday challenge of quality care and regulatory obligations, requires LTC providers to plan ongoing training for their staff.

Increasingly, providers are looking to online training as a way to deliver consistent, up-to-date instruction. Effective e-learning courses incorporate multimedia, case studies, interactive exercises and other techniques to help staff learn and retain information.

Organizations report that overall training costs decrease with e-learning because of reduced overtime, lower turnover and more productive use of staff development personnel (they become free to do more hands-on training). It also reduces the costs of hiring outside instructors and sending staff offsite for CEUs. Online record keeping makes it easier to find training documentation for surveyors.

Several vendors specialize in online training for the senior care industry, so you'll be able to choose a partner that matches your culture and vision. There is also no need to invest in a lot of hardware or software: facilities can use one or two computers to train every 100 employees. When looking for a system, be sure it has cheat-proofing and proactive e-mail alert features to notify administrators about potential compliance problems.

Here are some additional tips for a positive e-learning experience:

• Identify an e-learning champion to increase staff acceptance of the new system.

• Work with your e-learning provider's implementation team to ­introduce online training in your company. They've done this before and are aware of the challenges and opportunities.

• Get buy-in from senior management. Their commitment ensures support throughout the organization.

• Create excitement with posters and banners in break rooms.

• Communicate that e-learning is the future. Embracing online training now is an investment that pays off for facilities and their employees.

Tamar Abell is the cofounder of Upstairs Solutions, Skokie, Ill. She can be reached at tabell@upstairssolutions.com. DISCLOSURE: Upstairs Solutions offers online staff training to the LTC industry.

Visit www.advanceweb.com/LTC for more articles on staff education.