scholarly journals How quality improvement collaboratives work to improve healthcare in care homes: a realist evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reena Devi ◽  
Neil H Chadborn ◽  
Julienne Meyer ◽  
Jay Banerjee ◽  
Claire Goodman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Effect Change ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Quality Improvement Collaboratives

Abstract Background Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) bring together multidisciplinary teams in a structured process to improve care quality. How QICs can be used to support healthcare improvement in care homes is not fully understood. Methods A realist evaluation to develop and test a programme theory of how QICs work to improve healthcare in care homes. A multiple case study design considered implementation across 4 sites and 29 care homes. Observations, interviews and focus groups captured contexts and mechanisms operating within QICs. Data analysis classified emerging themes using context-mechanism-outcome configurations to explain how NHS and care home staff work together to design and implement improvement. Results QICs will be able to implement and iterate improvements in care homes where they have a broad and easily understandable remit; recruit staff with established partnership working between the NHS and care homes; use strategies to build relationships and minimise hierarchy; protect and pay for staff time; enable staff to implement improvements aligned with existing work; help members develop plans in manageable chunks through QI coaching; encourage QIC members to recruit multidisciplinary support through existing networks; facilitate meetings in care homes and use shared learning events to build multidisciplinary interventions stepwise. Teams did not use measurement for change, citing difficulties integrating this into pre-existing and QI-related workload. Conclusions These findings outline what needs to be in place for health and social care staff to work together to effect change. Further research needs to consider ways to work alongside staff to incorporate measurement for change intoQI.

scholarly journals Quality improvement collaborative aiming for Proactive HEAlthcare of Older People in Care Homes (PEACH): a realist evaluation protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e023287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reena Devi ◽  
Julienne Meyer ◽  
Jay Banerjee ◽  
Claire Goodman ◽  
John Raymond Fletcher Gladman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Older People ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Quality Improvement Collaborative ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Health And Social Care

IntroductionThis protocol describes a study of a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) to support implementation and delivery of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in UK care homes. The QIC will be formed of health and social care professionals working in and with care homes and will be supported by clinical, quality improvement and research specialists. QIC participants will receive quality improvement training using the Model for Improvement. An appreciative approach to working with care homes will be encouraged through facilitated shared learning events, quality improvement coaching and assistance with project evaluation.Methods and analysisThe QIC will be delivered across a range of partnering organisations which plan, deliver and evaluate health services for care home residents in four local areas of one geographical region. A realist evaluation framework will be used to develop a programme theory informing how QICs are thought to work, for whom and in what ways when used to implement and deliver CGA in care homes. Data collection will involve participant observations of the QIC over 18 months, and interviews/focus groups with QIC participants to iteratively define, refine, test or refute the programme theory. Two researchers will analyse field notes, and interview/focus group transcripts, coding data using inductive and deductive analysis. The key findings and linked programme theory will be summarised as context-mechanism-outcome configurations describing what needs to be in place to use QICs to implement service improvements in care homes.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was reviewed by the National Health Service Health Research Authority (London Bromley research ethics committee reference: 205840) and the University of Nottingham (reference: LT07092016) ethics committees. Both determined that the Proactive HEAlthcare of Older People in Care Homes study was a service and quality improvement initiative. Findings will be shared nationally and internationally through conference presentations, publication in peer-reviewed journals, a graphical illustration and a dissemination video.

scholarly journals The Implementation of an Innovative Hydration Monitoring App in Care Home Settings: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Steven ◽  
Gemma Wilson ◽  
Lesley Young-Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Everyday Practice ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Study Sites

BACKGROUND In response to marked concern regarding inadequate fluid intake recording in care homes, an innovative mobile hydration app was collaboratively developed. “Hydr8” aimed to facilitate accurate recording and communication of residents’ fluid intake and ultimately increase care quality and patient safety. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the implementation of Hydr8 in a sample of care homes in one area in England. METHODS The principles of Realist Evaluation and Action research were drawn upon throughout the study. Overall, 5 care homes participated in this study, 3 interview-only sites and 2 case-study sites, where interviews and observations were conducted at 3 time-points. Furthermore, 28 staff members participated, including care staff, management, a registered nurse, and administrative staff. RESULTS Findings suggest that Hydr8 benefits practice, enhancing the understanding of hydration and person-centered care and improving staff communication. However, technical glitches hindered the seamless embedding of Hydr8 into everyday practice, and enthusiasm for long-term use was dependent on the resolution of issues. In addition, Hydr8 heightened perceptions of personal accountability, and while managers viewed this as positive, some staff members were apprehensive. However, individuals were enthusiastic about the long-term use and potential of Hydr8. CONCLUSIONS Utilizing the findings of this study to further develop and adapt Hydr8 indicates the long-term use of Hydr8 as promising. Although perceptions of Hydr8 were primarily positive, setbacks in its implementation and use created difficulties in normalizing the solution into everyday practice. This study highlights the need for education related to hydration practice and a change of infrastructure in care home settings to implement technical solutions and changes to care.

scholarly journals The Effect of Providing Staff Training and Enhanced Support to Care Homes on Care Processes, Safety Climate and Avoidable Harms: Evaluation of a Care Home Quality Improvement Programme in England

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7581
Author(s):  
Sarah Damery ◽  
Sarah Flanagan ◽  
Janet Jones ◽  
Kate Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Safety Climate ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Safety Attitudes ◽  
Working Practices

Older people living in care homes are at risk from avoidable harms, which may require hospital attendance or admission. This paper describes a mixed methods evaluation of a large quality improvement (QI) programme that provides skills training and facilitated support to staff in 29 care homes across two localities in the West Midlands, UK. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is used to assess changes to care home safety climate between baseline and programme end at 24 months. We use routinely collected data to assess pre- and post-programme avoidable harms and hospital attendance/admission rates. Semi-structured interviews with programme managers (n = 18), and staff (n = 49) in four case study homes are also used to assess perspectives on programme implementation. Our results show that safety climate scores increase by 1.4 points. There are significant reductions in falls (p = 0.0006), severe pressure ulcers (p = 0.014), UTIs (p = 0.001) and ‘any’ events (p = 0.0003). Emergency hospital attendances reduced, but admissions increased. Interview participants report improvements to teamwork, working practices, information sharing, knowledge and skills. Upskilling care home staff can improve working practices and attitudes towards resident safety and care quality, which may be associated with significant reductions in avoidable harms rates. Care staff turnover rates are high, which may impact the potential for longer-term sustainability of the changes observed.

scholarly journals Quality improvement through the paradigm of learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Hafford-Letchfield ◽  
Peter Lavender
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Project Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Learning Interventions

Purpose – Achieving meaningful participation and co-production for older people in care requires radical approaches. The purpose of this paper is to explore an innovation where learning interventions were introduced into care settings and older people matched to community-based learning mentors to develop partnerships. The authors explore how the concept of learning might be used as a paradigm to raise the quality of care in institutionalised settings using a co-productive and relationship-based approach to promote wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach – A structured evaluation drew on qualitative data captured from interviews with older people (n=25) and learning mentors (n=22) to reflect on the potential benefits and challenges involved when introducing learning interventions in care settings. This was contextualised alongside data captured from stakeholders (n=10) including a care home manager, social care and education commissioners, trustees and project staff to assess the interdisciplinary contribution of lifelong learning to quality improvement. Findings – Introducing learning interventions to older people within care settings promoted participation, advocacy and relationship-based care which in turn helped to create a positive culture. Given the current challenges to improve quality in care services, drawing on a paradigm of learning may encourage older people to retain their independence as care homes strive towards a person-centred approach. Promoting social activities and leisure using learning was found to foster closer working relationships between older people and the wider community. These had a levelling effect through reciprocity, using an asset based approach. There were benefits for the care provider as the partnerships formed enabled people to raise both individual and collective concerns about care and support. Originality/value – Raising and sustaining the quality of support for older people requires input from the wider public sector beyond health and social care. Purposeful engagement with other disciplines such as learning and leisure offers the potential to realise a more sustainable model of user choice, person-centred support and user involvement. Being engaged through learning can nourish membership in the community for marginalised populations such as older people living in care homes.

scholarly journals Handovers in care homes for older people – their type, timing and usefulness. Findings from a scoping review

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
JO MORIARTY ◽  
VALERIE LIPMAN ◽  
CAROLINE NORRIE ◽  
REKHA ELASWARAPU ◽  
JILL MANTHORPE
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Care Quality Commission

ABSTRACTThere is a considerable body of literature on the importance of effective shift handovers in hospitals and other health-care settings but less is known about the transfer of information between staff starting and completing stints of paid work in care homes. In the first of two articles considering this under-explored topic, we report findings from a scoping review examining what is known about shift-to-shift handovers in care homes for older people and their equivalents. It is based on systematic searches of electronic databases of English-language journals on ageing and internet searches for material published between January 2005 and October 2016. Guidance from the regulatory body for health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission, highlights the importance of handovers in care homes but the degree to which they are embedded into care home routines appears to be variable, influenced by factors such as workplace culture, shift patterns and the extent to which they involve all those on duty or just those with professional qualifications. Staffing shortages and whether or not members of staff are paid for their time attending handovers appear to be further constraints on their use. We conclude that there is considerable scope for further research in this field to identify and develop good practice.

scholarly journals Recognition of the complexity facing residential care homes: a practitioner inquiry

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Dudman ◽  
Julienne Meyer ◽  
Cheryl Holman ◽  
Wendy Moyle
Keyword(s):  
Residential Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Home Staff ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Health And Social Care

AbstractAimTo explore the experiences and challenges for residential care home staff when managing the healthcare needs of their residents, in particular those living with dementia.BackgroundIncreasing number of older people, with complex health and social care needs are living in residential care homes. Yet there is limited appreciation of why staff sometimes struggle to manage residents’ healthcare needs, or understanding of their working relationship with district nurses (DNs), whose responsibility it is to provide nursing support.MethodsThis PhD study, in a metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, was conducted by an experienced DN and involved three phases. This paper focuses on the first two phases. Phase 1 data included: semi-structured interviews (n=8), reflective field notes based on non-participant observation, documentary analysis of policies, procedures and assessment tools and other contextual data from one care home (case study site). The practitioner researcher reflected on the findings from the case study, in relation to her own knowledge and experience as a DN, focusing in particular on findings that were familiar, or which surprised. In Phase 2 she fed these findings back to other care homes (n=11) to check whether the findings from the single case study were unique or resonated with others. She gathered their feedback through semi-structured interviews with senior care staff (n=14). Data were analysed using thematic data analysis.FindingsFindings highlight the complexity facing residential care homes: high levels of healthcare needs amongst residents, the demands of caring for residents living with dementia, variations in the knowledge and skill set of care staff, inequity in the level of healthcare support, the challenges of building a good relationship with DNs, and funding pressures facing care homes.ImplicationsAny, or all of these factors can prevent care home staff from managing the healthcare needs of their residents.

scholarly journals A qualitative study exploring therapists’ experiences of implementing a complex intervention promoting meaningful activity for residents in care homes

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Smith ◽  
Julia Wood ◽  
Fiona Jones ◽  
Sue Turner ◽  
Michael Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Care Home ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Meaningful Activity ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Home Intervention ◽  
Trusting Relationships

Objectives: To explore the experiences of occupational therapists and physiotherapists and to reveal any factors that can facilitate delivering a complex care home intervention promoting meaningful activity. Design: Qualitative interview study using data from three focus groups conducted longitudinally post intervention implementation. Data were analysed thematically. Setting: Three residential care homes in South London, UK. Subjects: All therapists involved in the implementation of the intervention: three occupational therapists and three physiotherapists. Results: Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) developing trusting relationships, (2) empowering staff and (3) remaining flexible. Therapists described how successfully implementing a complex care home intervention was dependant on developing trusting relationships with care staff. This enabled the therapists to empower care staff to take ownership of the intervention and help embed it in care home culture, facilitating long-term change. The therapists described how remaining flexible in their approach helped keep care staff engaged for the duration of implementation. Conclusion: This study has revealed several important factors that can help facilitate therapists delivering complex interventions in care homes.

The ambulance service advanced practitioner's role in supporting care homes: a qualitative study of care staff experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chris Harvey ◽  
Simon Froggatt ◽  
Bryan Lightowler ◽  
Andrew Hodge
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Ambulance Service ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Service Demand ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Home Staff ◽  
Advanced Practitioner

Background/Aims The demand from care homes on NHS services continues to rise, with little evidence of ambulance service contribution in this area. The Yorkshire Ambulance Service provides an advanced practitioner model to support care homes in Sheffield, as an alternative to calling 999. This study investigated the experiences and needs of the care home staff who use the ambulance service advanced practitioner model. Methods This qualitative study conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 19 staff members from 10 different care home settings. Thematic analysis using a combination of NVivo and manual coding was undertaken. Results The three key themes from the interviews were variations in service demand, the service user's expectations and experience, and benefits to residents. Participants reported that good community services reduced the need to call 999, empowering carers to support residents to remain in the community. Conclusions Care homes require comprehensive services that meet their needs. The advanced practitioner model provided by the ambulance service supports this, preventing unnecessary 999 calls and fitting with other community service provision.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Care Home Residents: The GET READY Study Utilising Service-Learning and Co-Creation

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
Marlene Sandlund ◽  
Philippa Dall ◽  
Sebastien Chastin ◽  
Susana Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Care Home ◽  
End Users ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis ◽  
Individual Service

The GET READY study aimed to integrate service-learning methodology into University degrees by offering students individual service opportunities with residential care homes, to co-create the best suited intervention to reduce the sedentary behaviour (SB) of residents throughout the day, with researchers, end-users, care staff, family members and policymakers. Eight workshops with care home residents and four workshops with care staff, relatives and policymakers, led by undergraduate students, were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed with inductive thematic analysis to understand views and preferences for sustainable strategies to reduce SB and increase movement of residents. Perspectives about SB and movement in care homes highlighted four subthemes. Assets for decreasing SB included three subthemes, and suggestions and strategies encapsulated four subthemes. There is a need to include end-users in decision making, and involve care staff and relatives in enhancing strategies to reduce SB among residents if we want sustainable changes in behaviour. A change in the culture at a policymaker and care staff’s level could provide opportunities to open care homes to the community with regular activities outside the care home premises, and offer household chores and opportunities to give residents a role in maintaining their home environment.

scholarly journals Reducing urinary tract infections in care homes by improving hydration

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e000563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Lean ◽  
Rasanat Fatima Nawaz ◽  
Sundus Jawad ◽  
Charles Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Tract Infections

Dehydration may increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can lead to confusion, falls, acute kidney injury and hospital admission. We aimed to reduce the number of UTIs in care home residents which require admission to hospital. The principal intervention was the introduction of seven structured drink rounds every day accompanied by staff training and raising awareness. UTIs requiring antibiotics reduced by 58% and UTIs requiring hospital admissions reduced by 36%, when averaged across the four care homes. Care home residents benefited from greater fluid intake, which in turn may have reduced infection. Structured drink rounds were a low-cost intervention for preventing UTIs and implemented easily by care staff.

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