Happy New Year!!!
Abstracts
Publications
Events
News
Resources
Abstracts
New article by Dr. Peter Norton
Case Studies of Patient Safety Research Classics to Build Research Capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Non UofA Access
Andermann A, Wu A, W., Lashoher A, Norton P, Arora N, Kumar, Bates D, W., et al.
Joint Commission Journal on Quality & Patient Safety 2013 12;39(12):553-560
Strengthening research capacity is a key priority and rate-limiting step for conducting patient safety research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, but also in other settings where such research is currently limited. Methods: A multistep method was used to develop the case studies, which involved developing a theoretical framework for classifying patient safety research articles; purposively selecting articles to illustrate a range of research methods and study designs; and involving the articles’ lead authors to provide context, review the summaries, and offer advice to future patient safety researchers. Results: The series of patient safety research case studies used 17 examples to illustrate how different research methods and study designs can be used to answer different types of research questions across five stages of the research cycle: (1) measuring harm, (2) understanding causes, (3) identifying solutions, (4) evaluating impact, and (5) translating evidence into safer care. No single study design or research method is better in all circumstances. Choosing the most appropriate method and study design depends on the stage in the research cycle, the objectives, the research question, the subject area, the setting, and the resources available.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
12-17 July 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark
DEADLINE 3 February 2014
At AAIC 2014, the world’s leading dementia researchers will gather to share and learn the latest in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Join them and help to shape the future of the field by sharing your work.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
Aging and Public Health Section of the American Public Health Association for the APHA 2014 Annual Meeting and Exposition
15-19 November 2014 New Orleans, Louisiana
DEADLINE Thursday 13 February 2014
We welcome empirical research or practice-related presentations, using either quantitative or qualitative methods. Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. Individuals may submit up to two abstracts as first author to the Aging and Public Health Section. Submissions may be for poster, oral, or roundtable session formats; please note desired format on the abstract form. All presenters must become individual members of APHA and register for the Annual Meeting in order to give their presentations. Abstracts cannot be published in any journal prior to the APHA Annual Meeting
Publications
KT
Health Care Administration and Organization
Health Care Innovation and Quality Assurance
Research Practice & Methodology
Aging
KT
Evidence-based practice among Swedish medical social workers.
Non UofA Access
Heiwe S, Nilsson-Kajermo K, Olsson M, Gafvels C, Larsson K, Wengstrom Y.
Social work in health care 2013;52(10):947-958
We have explored Swedish medical social workers’ attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and behavior concerning evidence-based practice (EBP) and investigated the properties of a questionnaire to measure EBP. One hundred seventy-four Swedish medical social workers within university hospital care and primary care participated in a cross-sectional survey. Our results showed positive attitudes toward EBP and the use of evidence to support clinical decision making. EBP was seen as necessary and something that needed to be implemented more often. The main barriers to implementing EBP were lack of time (78%), the perception that EBP does not take into account the limitations of the clinical practice setting (78%), and lack of knowledge about relevant research (46%).
Realistic nurse-led policy implementation, optimization and evaluation: novel methodological exemplar.
Non UofA Access
Noyes J, Lewis M, Bennett V, Widdas D, Brombley K.
Journal of advanced nursing 2013 May 28
To report the first large-scale realistic nurse-led implementation, optimization and evaluation of a complex children’s continuing-care policy. METHODS: An expert group developed the policy and supporting tools. Implementation and evaluation design integrated diffusion of innovation theory with multiple case study and adapted realist principles. Practitioners in 12 English sites worked with Consultant Nurse implementers to manipulate the programme theory and logic of new decision-support tools and care pathway to optimize local implementation. Methods included key-stakeholder interviews, developing practical diffusion of innovation processes using key-opinion leaders and active facilitation strategies and a mini-community of practice. New and existing processes and outcomes were compared for 137 children during 2007-2008. RESULTS: Realist principles were successfully adapted to a shorter policy implementation and evaluation time frame. Important new implementation success factors included facilitated implementation that enabled ‘real-time’ manipulation of programme logic and local context to best-fit evolving theories of what worked; using local experiential opinion to change supporting tools to more realistically align with local context and what worked; and having sufficient existing local infrastructure to support implementation. Ten mechanisms explained implementation success and differences in outcomes between new and existing processes. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Translation of oral care practice guidelines into clinical practice by intensive care unit nurses.
Non UofA Access
Ganz FD, Ofra R, Khalaila R, Levy H, Arad D, Kolpak O, et al.
Journal of nursing scholarship 2013 Dec;45(4):355-362
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a change in the oral care practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses for ventilated patients after a national effort to increase evidence-based oral care practices. METHOD: Two convenience national surveys of ICU nurses were collected in 2004-2005 and 2012. After the results of the initial survey were reported, a national effort to increase awareness of evidence-based oral care practices was conducted that included in-service presentations; publication of an evidence-based protocol in a national nursing journal; publication of the survey findings in an international nursing journal; and reports to the local press. A repeat survey was conducted 7 to 8 years later. FINDINGS: There was a statistically significant increase in the use of EBPs as shown by the EBP score and in the perceived priority level of oral care. Increased EBPs were found in the areas of teeth brushing and oral assessment. Decreases were found in the use of non-evidence-based practices. CONCLUSIONS: The national effort was partially successful in improving evidence-based oral care practices; however, increased awareness to EBP also might have come from other sources. Other strategies related to knowledge translation need to be attempted and researched in this clinical setting such as the use of opinion leaders, audits and feedback, small group consensus, provider reminder systems, incentives, clinical information systems, and computer decision support systems. © 2013 Sigma Theta Tau International.
Mental health clinicians’ experiences of implementing evidence-based treatments.
Non UofA Access
Powell BJ, Hausmann-Stabile C, McMillen JC.
Journal of evidence-based social work 2013 Oct;10(5):396-409
Implementation research has tremendous potential to bridge the research-practice gap; however, we know more about barriers to evidence-based care than the factors that contribute to the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based treatments. In this qualitative study the authors explore the experiences of clinicians (N = 11) who were implementing evidence-based treatments, highlighting the factors that they perceived to be most critical to successful implementation. The clinicians’ narratives reveal many leverage points that can inform administrators, clinical supervisors, and clinicians who wish to implement evidence-based treatments, as well as other stakeholders who wish to develop and test strategies for moving evidence-based treatments into routine care.
Developing evidence-based practice champions in the Maldives.
Non UofA Access
Shifaza F, Evans D, Bradley H, Ullrich S.
International journal of nursing practice 2013 Dec;19(6):596-602
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach that has gained recognition for facilitating the transfer of evidence into clinical practice. EBP champions is a strategy that can be adopted to encourage the uptake of EBP. This paper describes an action research project that was undertaken in Maldives. EBP champion model has been introduced in the Maldives early 2012 and aims to produce clinical leaders from variety of backgrounds who could implement EBP. This paper provides an extended discussion of the process that was undertaken to prepare EBP champions and their roles in implementing EBP. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
Applying self-determination theory for improved understanding of physiotherapists’ rationale for using research in clinical practice: a qualitative study in Sweden.
Non UofA Access
Dannapfel P, Peolsson A, Stahl C, Oberg B, Nilsen P.
Physiotherapy theory and practice 2014 Jan;30(1):20-28
Physiotherapists are generally positive to evidence-based practice (EBP) and the use of research in clinical practice, yet many still base clinical decisions on knowledge obtained during their initial education and/or personal experience. Our aim was to explore motivations behind physiotherapists’ use of research in clinical practice. Self-Determination Theory was applied to identify the different types of motivation for use of research. This theory posits that all behaviours lie along a continuum of relative autonomy, reflecting the extent to which a person endorses their actions. Eleven focus group interviews were conducted, involving 45 physiotherapists in various settings in Sweden. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and the findings compared with Self-Determination Theory using a deductive approach. Motivations underlying physiotherapists use of research in clinical practice were identified. Most physiotherapists expressed autonomous forms of motivation for research use, but some exhibited more controlled motivation. Several implications about how more evidence-based physiotherapy can be achieved are discussed, including the potential to tailor educational programs on EBP to better account for differences in motivation among participants, using autonomously motivated physiotherapists as change agents and creating favourable conditions to encourage autonomous motivation by way of feelings of competence, autonomy and a sense of relatedness.
Does recruitment for multicenter clinical trials improve dissemination and timely implementation of their results? A survey study from the Netherlands.
Non UofA Access
Litjens RJ, Oude Rengerink K, Danhof NA, Kruitwagen RF, Mol BW.
Clinical trials (London, England) 2013;10(6):915-923
We studied whether participation in multicenter clinical trials improves reported dissemination, convincement, and subsequent implementation of its results. METHODS: We sent a web-based questionnaire to gynecologists, residents, nurses, and midwives in all obstetrics and gynecology departments in the Netherlands. For nine trials in perinatology, reproductive medicine, and gynecologic oncology, we asked the respondents whether they had knowledge of the results, were convinced by the results, and what percentage of their patients were treated according to the results of these trials. We compared the level of knowledge, convincement, and reported implementation of results in practice for the nine trials for respondents who worked in hospitals that had recruited for a trial with respondents who worked in a hospital that had not recruited for that trial. The reported implementation was restricted to six trials that showed decisive results. The percentage of respondents who had worked in a hospital that recruited for a specific study varied between 8% and 71% per study and was 28% on average. The relative risk (RR) for knowledge of the study result for respondents who had worked in a recruiting hospital was for all studies positive and varied between 1.1 and 3.3 (pooled RR: 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-1.9). In general, health-care workers were convinced of trial results, independent of whether they had worked in a hospital that recruited for a trial or not (pooled RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.05). Reported implementation of trial’s results, that is, less than 20% were treated with unfavorable treatment according to study results, was better in hospitals that had recruited for those trials (pooled RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.02-1.19). CONCLUSION: Participation in these multicenter clinical trials was associated with better knowledge about the trial’s results, with a minor improvement of the reported implementation of the study results.
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Health Care Administration and Organization
The relationship of positive work environments and workplace injury: Evidence from the National Nursing Assistant Survey.
Non UofA Access
McCaughey D, McGhan G, Walsh EM, Rathert C, Belue R.
Health care management review 2014 Jan-Mar;39(1):75-88
PURPOSES: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between nursing assistant injury rates and key outcomes, such as job satisfaction and turnover intent, while exploring workplace environment factors, such as injury prevention training, supervisor support, and employee engagement, that can decrease the rates of workplace injury. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data from the 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey were used to examine the negative effects of workplace injury on nursing assistants and the workplace environment factors that are related to the rate of worker injury. FINDINGS: Nursing assistants who experience job-related injuries have lower levels of job satisfaction, increased turnover intentions, and are less likely to recommend their facility as a place to work or seek care services. It was also found that nursing assistant injury rates are related to employee ratings of injury prevention training, supervisor support, and employee engagement. NAs with multiple injuries (>2) were 1.3-1.6 times more likely to report being injured at work than NAs who had not been injured when supervisor support, employee engagement, and training ratings were low.
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Health Care Innovation and Quality Assurance
Feedback GAP: pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial of goal setting and action plans to increase the effectiveness of audit and feedback interventions in primary care. 
Non UofA Access
Ivers NM, Tu K, Young J, Francis JJ, Barnsley J, Shah BR, et al.
Implementation science : IS 2013 Dec 17;8:142-5908-8-142
Audit and feedback to physicians is a commonly used quality improvement strategy, but its optimal design is unknown. This two arm pragmatic cluster randomized trials tested the effects of a theory-informed worksheet among to facilitate goal setting and action planning, appended to feedback reports on chronic disease management, compared to feedback reports provided without these worksheets. Participants were family physicians The ‘usual feedback’ arm received feedback every six months for two years regarding the proportion of their patients meeting quality targets for diabetes and/or ischemic heart disease. The intervention arm received these same reports plus a worksheet designed to facilitate goal setting and action plan development in response to the feedback reports. Blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) values were compared after two years as the primary outcomes. RESULTS: Outcomes were similar across groups at baseline. Mean BP was 128/72 in the feedback plus worksheet arm and 128/73 in the feedback alone arm, while LDL was 2.1 and 2.0, respectively. Thus, no significant differences were observed across groups in the primary outcomes, but mean haemoglobin A1c was lower in the feedback plus worksheet arm (7.2% versus 7.4%, p<0.001). Improvements in both arms were noted over time for one-half of the process outcomes. DISCUSSION: Appending a theory-informed goal setting and action planning worksheet to an externally produced audit and feedback intervention did not lead to improvements in patient outcomes. The results may be explained in part by passive dissemination of the worksheet leading to inadequate engagement with the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00996645
Can the theoretical domains framework account for the implementation of clinical quality interventions?: a qualitative synthesis and mapping experiment.
Non UofA Access
Lipworth W, Taylor N, Braithwaite J.
BMC health services research 2013 Dec 21;13(1):530
Implementing clinical quality initiatives requires attitude and behaviour change on the part of clinicians, but this has proven to be difficult. In an attempt to solve this kind of behavioural challenge, the theoretical domains framework (TDF) has been developed. The TDF consists of 14 domains from psychological and organisational theory said to influence behaviour change. We conducted a qualitative mapping experiment to determine to what extent, and in what ways, the TDF is relevant to the implementation of clinical quality interventions. METHODS: A thematic synthesis of the qualitative literature exploring clinicians’ perceptions of various clinical quality interventions was conducted. RESULTS: Our results suggest that the TDF is highly relevant to the implementation of clinical quality interventions. It can be used to map most, if not all, of the attitudinal and behavioural barriers and facilitators of uptake of clinical quality interventions. Each of these 14 domains appeared to be relevant to many different types of clinical quality interventions. One possible additional domain might relate to perceived trustworthiness of those instituting clinical quality interventions.
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Research Practice & Methodology
Ethics is for human subjects too: Participant perspectives on responsibility in health research.
Non UofA Access
Cox SM, McDonald M.
Social science & medicine (1982) 2013 Dec;98:224-231
Despite the significant literature as well as energy devoted to ethical review of research involving human subjects, little attention has been given to understanding the experiences of those who volunteer as human subjects. Why and how do they decide to participate in research? Is research participation viewed as a form of social responsibility or as a way of obtaining individual benefits? What if anything do research subjects feel they are owed for participation? And what do they feel that they owe the researcher? Drawing on in-depth individual interviews conducted in 2006 and 2007 with 41 subjects who participated in a variety of types of health research in Canada, this paper focuses on subject perspectives on responsibility in research. Highlighting the range of ways that subjects describe their involvement in research and commitments to being a ‘good’ subject, we present a typology of narratives that sheds new light on the diverse meanings of research participation. These narratives are not mutually exclusive or prescriptive but are presented as ideal types typifying a set of circumstances and values. As such, they collectively illuminate a range of motivations expressed by human subjects as well as potential sources of vulnerability. The typology adds a new dimension to the literature in this area and has significant implications for researchers seeking more human-subject centred approaches to research recruitment and retention, as well as research ethics boards trying to better anticipate the perspectives of prospective participants. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Aging
Improving the identification of people with dementia in primary care: evaluation of the impact of primary care dementia coding guidance on identified prevalence.
Non UofA Access
Russell P, Banerjee S, Watt J, Adleman R, Agoe B, Burnie N, et al.
BMJ open 2013 Dec 23;3(12):e004023-2013-004023
Improving dementia care is a policy priority nationally and internationally; there is a ‘diagnosis gap’ with less than half of the cases of dementia ever diagnosed. The English Health Department’s Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) developed guidance on coding of dementia; we report the impact of applying this to ‘clean up’ dementia coding and records at a practice level. RESULTS: The number of people with dementia on QOF registers increased from 1007 to 1139 (χ(2)=8.17, p=0.004), raising identification rates by 8.8%. It took 4.7 h per practice, on an average. In absolute terms, if this effects were mirrored across the UK primary care, the number of cases with dementia identified would rise by over 70 000 from 364 329 to 434 488 raising the recognition rate from 46% to 54.8%. Implementing this exercise appears to be a simple and effective way to improve recognition rates in primary care.
A Caregiver’s Wish List for a National Alzheimer’s Agenda.
Non UofA Access
Vann AS.
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias 2013 Dec 26
When panels are convened to discuss the best way to deal with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the panels often consist of representatives from government agencies, national Alzheimer’s organizations, medicine, research, and pharmaceutical companies. Although each of these stakeholder groups has much to contribute to such discussions, too often the voices of caregivers are not heard. Even the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Advisory Council has only one full-time 24/7 caregiver as a member. Of 26 voices heard at the NAPA meetings, only 1 can speak for what life is like for a 24/7 caregiver of a loved one having AD. This article provides 10 items that I would raise at such a meeting based upon my own personal experience and what I have learned from others in my weekly spouse caregiver support group and in my online support groups. Some items suggest funding priorities, some suggest changes in how doctors currently diagnose and treat people with AD and their caregivers, and some suggest the need for more caregiver voices to be heard by government panels and politicians who have the power to effect change.
Social Representation of Dementia and Its Influence on the Search for Early Care by Family Member Caregivers.
Non UofA Access
Juarez-Cedillo T, Jarillo-Soto EC, Rosas-Carrasco O.
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias 2013 Dec 26
Social representations (SRs) contain 3 dimensions: information, attitude, and field. These affect the recognition of the first symptoms of dementia by the patient’s caregiver. This study focused on the period from the first signs of cognitive difficulties to the diagnosis of dementia.Methods:Eight caregivers of elderly patients with dementia were interviewed to construct their SRs regarding dementia and how this influences seeking medical treatment during the first stages of the disease. Social representations were analyzed through a structural focus, based on the content analysis.Results:Decision making is related to knowledge about dementia, attitude (emotions and sensitivity), and the concept of the caregiver about the relative with dementia. The results confirm the importance of the symbolic dimension of personal experience in managing care and seeking medical treatment.Conclusion: The presence of dementia in the family creates interpersonal dilemmas that caregivers experience. The solutions are framed in the sociocultural context.
Impact of a New Senior Emergency Department on Emergency Department Recidivism, Rate of Hospital Admission, and Hospital Length of Stay.
Non UofA Access
Keyes DC, Singal B, Kropf CW, Fisk A.
Annals of Emergency Medicine 2013 Dec 15
Senior (geriatric) emergency departments (EDs) are an emerging phenomenon across the United States, designed to provide greater comfort for elders, screening for common morbidities, and selective contact with social workers. METHODS: This was a pre/postintervention observational study of seniors (≥65 years) before and after opening of a new senior ED in a large community hospital. There was no significant difference in time to return within 30 days (HR=1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95 to 1.23), 180 days (HR=0.99; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.08), or average hospital length of stay. Risk of being admitted on the index visit was lower for seniors treated in the senior ED compared with the regular ED (Relative Risk=0.93; 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98). CONCLUSION: A new senior ED was not associated with reduced ED recidivism or hospital length of stay, but was associated with decreased rate of admission. Copyright © 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Vision impairment and nutritional status among older assisted living residents
Non UofA Access
Muurinen SM, Soini HH, Suominen MH, Saarela RKT, Savikko NM, Pitkälä KH.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Vision impairment is common among older persons. It is a risk factor for disability, and it, may be associated with nutritional status via decline in functional status. However, only few studies, have examined the relationship between vision impairment and nutritional status, which was, investigated in this cross-sectional study. The study included all residents living in the assisted living, facilities in Helsinki and Espoo in 2007. Trained nurses performed a personal, interview and assessment of each resident including the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), functional and health status. Patient records were used to confirm demographic data and medical, history. Mortality in 2010 was retrieved from central registers. Of the residents, 17.5% (N = 245) had, vision impairment and they were not able to read regular print. Those with vision impairment were, older, more often females, and malnourished according to MNA. They had lower BMI, and suffered, more often from dementia and chewing problems than those without vision impairment. In logistic, regression analysis controlling for age, gender, chewing problems and dementia, vision impairment, was independently associated with resident’s malnutrition (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.80-3.51). According to, our results older residents in assisted living with vision impairment are at high risk for malnutrition.
Infrastructure and resources for an aging population: embracing complexity in translational research.
Non UofA Access
High KP.
Translational research 2013 Oct 2
The population of the United States and most industrialized nations is undergoing rapid expansion of persons aged 65 years and older. This group experiences more illness, disability, and dependency than young adults and consumes the majority of heath care resources. This demographic change presents a number of challenges to current research infrastructure aimed at translating discoveries to improved human health. Key issues include the need to expand the workforce trained in aging research, development of specific resources and harmonization of measures and outcomes, and a culture change within the scientific community. In particular, complexity must be represented within research design and embraced as an important aspect of review panel critiques. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
The emotional overlay: older person and carer perspectives on negotiating aging and care in rural Ontario.
Non UofA Access
Herron RV, Skinner MW.
Social science & medicine (1982) 2013 Aug;91:186-193
This paper extends the burgeoning interest in emotion, health and place by investigating the emotionally complex experiences of aging and care in rural settings. Featuring a thematic analysis of 44 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with older people and their carers in rural Ontario (Canada) we examine the importance and implications of emotions within and across multiple scales at which care relationships, expectations and responsibilities are negotiated. With the aim of broadening the discussion surrounding geographical dimensions of ethical care, our approach draws on feminist care ethics to understand the multifaceted ways in which emotions shape and are shaped by experiences of aging and caring at the interpersonal, household and community scales. The findings reveal how emotions are central, yet often-overlooked and even hidden within care relationships among older rural people and their carers. We argue that ethical care is contingent on recognizing and valuing the situated emotions involved in doing care work, sustaining care relationships and asking for care. In doing so, we demonstrate how qualitative research on the emotional geographies of care can contribute to the development of informed policies that are contextually sensitive and, ultimately, have the potential to build more ethical rural conditions of care. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Events
UofA
IIQM: Qualitative Software Workshop Series
Friday 10 Jan 12:00 MT
There are a number of software packages that meet different needs when it comes to qualitative data analysis. Most people are familiar and comfortable with one program, but are not aware of the other options that may positively impact the productivity and efficiency of their analysis. It is important to use the right tool for the right job and we want to help you with this task.
Medicine by Dogsled: Dr. Otto Schaefer’s Photos of the Canadian North
JW Scott Health Sciences Library, Exhibit opens Tuesday 14 Jan
Opening Lecture: “Otto Schaefer: Circumpolar Health Pioneer” by Professor Kue Young, Dean of Public Health Tuesday 14 Jan 17:30 Classroom F (2J4.02), Walter MacKenzie Centre
Dr. Schaefer practised medicine across Canada’s north for thirty two years and was an avid photographer. His family donated many of his photographs to the University of Alberta. Some of the photographs are available as a collection in ERA, the UofA’s Institutional Repsoitory. This exhibit showcases the print images from the collection.
Online
NICHE Webinar: Decreasing Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers by Focusing on Decreasing Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD)
Wednesday 8 January 11:00 MT Cost Free/NICHE member site, $99/Non-member
Clinicians are often confused about what Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD) is and how it is different, but also related to pressure ulcers. Moisture is a factor in pressure ulcer development and skin damage due to moisture is often a precursor to the development of MASD wounds. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center’s initiative to determine best practice in MASD prevention involved a new prevention protocol that helped reduce the rate of hospital-acquired MASDs. Join us for this informative presentation and learn more about the impact of MASD on the prevention of pressure ulcers and how you can adapt the prevention protocol for your facility.
News
Owner of Saint-Lambert nursing home loses court case
The owner of a nursing home on Montreal’s South Shore, which is already under investigation for allegations of mistreatment, lost his bid to get a $250,000 lawsuit against him thrown out of court.
White Coate, Black Art Dedicates Show to Unpaid Caregivers
This show is dedicated to unpaid caregivers and the tireless work they do. We have a conversation with an extraordinary woman who quit a good job in mid-career to care for her ailing parents. Now, she’s turned her hard fought caregiving expertise into a volunteer position helping others in the same boat. Unpaid caregivers? Maybe not in Saskatchewan, thanks to a ground-breaking pilot program that helps pay them – that’s right – pay them a regular wage. I speak to the man in charge. And, we travel to Colwood, British Columbia to have a look at one of Canada’s first private daycares for seniors – and meet the person who has sunk a good chunk of her life savings into trying to make it work.
Rhode Island Extends Paid Work Benefits to Caregivers
An innovative new law in Rhode Island, the Temporary Caregiver’s Insurance law, provides for paid time off for workers who must take time off from a job to care for a sick family member. The law will likely provide some much needed relief to thousands of people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other chronic illness in the state.
Resources
IHI Panel: Improvement Research Meets Patient Experience: Can Applying the Science of Improvement Accelerate Patient-Centered Outcomes?
This is a recorded panel
A key development in person- and family-centered care is the growing opportunity for patients to collaborate with improvement scientists on research designed to impact patient experience. No longer just an idea, the ways in which this partnership is currently being explored — and what can make it more possible — was the focus of a panel at the 19th Annual Scientific Symposium on Improving the Quality and Value of Health Care. The Symposium was held on December 9, alongside the 25th Annual IHI National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care.
Better late than never:
Alzheimer’s Society Ontario’s Tip Sheets for Dealing with the Holidays and Dementia &
Alzheimer’s Society UK: Supporting a person with dementia during visits, holidays and celebrations
Both of these sites include excellent information for celebrating Christmas (and other holidays) with persons with dementia. Information includes tips for dealing with guests with dementia, buying gifts, helping out caregivers, visiting a LTC facility, etc.
The Triangle of Care: Best Practice in Dementia Care
The Triangle of Care initiative for dementia, developed in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing, as well as people with dementia and their carers, sets out a framework for meaningful engagement between professionals and those with first-hand experience of the condition. It builds on a similar initiative for mental health services by the Carers Trust in partnership with Royal College of Nursing to adapt the Triangle of Care to meet the needs of carers of people with dementia when that person is admitted to a general hospital.
Promoting Positive Behavioral Health: A Non-pharmacologic Toolkit for Senior Living Communities
This national action plan is using a multidimensional approach to reduce antipsychotic use in nursing homes across the country and encourages a person-centered approach to care in these sites. Unfortunately, staff in nursing homes do not feel equipped to implement non-pharmacological approaches and have asked for education on their use with residents who display behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This toolkit was conceptualized as a compendium of peer-reviewed/expert-endorsed existing resources that would assist staff in the implementation of non-pharmacological strategies for BPSD.
College of Occupational Therapists: Living well through Activity in Care Homes
This comprehensive workbook featuring examples of activities that care home staff can organize with residents. There are 5 workbooks, each meant for a different user group, which include long-term care staff, residents and families, long-term care management and occupational therapists. The most comprehensive and thorough workbook is that meant for long-term care staff.
