Dataset Information

Importance of Team Functioning as a Target of Quality Improvement Initiatives in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Process Evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Quality improvement interventions demonstrate variable degrees of effectiveness. The aim of this work was to (1) qualitatively explore whether, how, and why an academic detailing intervention could improve evidence uptake and (2) identify perceived changes that occurred to inform outcomes appropriate for quantitative evaluation.

Methods

A qualitative process evaluation was conducted involving semistructured interviews with nursing home staff. Interviews were analyzed inductively using the framework method.

Results

A total of 29 interviews were conducted across 13 nursing homes. Standard processes to reduce falls are well-known but not fully implemented due to a range of mostly postintentional factors that influence staff behavior. Conflicting expectations around professional roles impeded evidence uptake; physicians report a disconnection between the information they would like to receive and the information communicated; and a high proportion of casual and part-time staff creates challenges for those looking to effect change. These factors are amenable to change in the context of an active, tailored intervention such as academic detailing. This seems especially true when the entire care team is actively engaged and when the intervention can be tailored to the varied determinants of behaviors across different team members.

Discussion

Interventions aiming to increase evidence-based practice in the nursing home sector need to move beyond education to explicitly address team functioning and communication. Variability in team functioning requires a flexible intervention with the ability to tailor to individual- and home-level needs. Evaluations in this setting may benefit from measuring changes in team functioning as an early indicator of success.

SUBMITTER: Desveaux L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6400643 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Winter

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Importance of Team Functioning as a Target of Quality Improvement Initiatives in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Process Evaluation.

Desveaux Laura L Halko Roxanne R Marani Husayn H Feldman Sid S Ivers Noah M NM

The Journal of continuing education in the health professions 20191201 1

<h4>Introduction</h4>Quality improvement interventions demonstrate variable degrees of effectiveness. The aim of this work was to (1) qualitatively explore whether, how, and why an academic detailing intervention could improve evidence uptake and (2) identify perceived changes that occurred to inform outcomes appropriate for quantitative evaluation.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative process evaluation was conducted involving semistructured interviews with nursing home staff. Interviews were analyzed ...[more]

PMID: 30789377

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Project description:BackgroundRelocations within and between nursing homes often induce stress, anxiety, and depression in residents and cause additional workload for and burnout in staff. To prevent this, many nursing homes deploy pre-transition initiatives, bridging initiatives, and post-transition initiatives to support residents and staff during the relocation process. As little is known about these initiatives, this study aims to explore the pre-relocation, bridging and post-relocation initiatives used for relocations within and between nursing homes.MethodsIn seven Dutch nursing homes, eight focus groups were conducted with two to six participants (N = 37) who were actively involved in relocation processes in different roles (i.e., managers, healthcare professionals, support staff, client council members, residents and family). The focus groups were conducted based on a predefined topic list and lasted approximately 60 min. The transcripts were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic coding.ResultsNursing homes had to be inventive in developing relocation initiatives as neither shared guidelines nor knowledge exchange on this topic were available. A total of thirty-seven relocation initiatives were identified in these seven nursing homes. Nineteen pre-relocation initiatives were identified, of which eight emphasized information and engagement, three highlighted training and practice and eight stressed orientation and visualization. Seven bridging initiatives were identified, of which four emphasized coordination and continuity and three highlighted entertainment and celebration. Eleven post-relocation initiatives were identified, of which seven emphasized evaluation and troubleshooting and four highlighted change and adjustment.ConclusionThe identified relocation initiatives were developed unassisted by nursing homes, due to a lack of shared guidelines, knowledge exchange and mutual learning on this topic. Therefore, it may be expedient and more effective to develop general guidelines for relocations within and between nursing homes in collaboration with nursing homes.

Project description:BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) is used in nursing homes (NH) to implement and sustain improvements in patient outcomes. Little is known about how QI strategies are used in NHs. This lack of information is a barrier to replicating successful strategies. Guided by the Framework for Implementation Research, the purpose of this study was to map-out the use, evaluation, and reporting of QI strategies in NHs.MethodsThis scoping review was completed to identify reports published between July 2003 through February 2019. Two reviewers screened articles and included those with (1) the term "quality improvement" to describe their methods, or reported use of a QI model (e.g., Six Sigma) or strategy (e.g., process mapping) (2), findings related to impact on service and/or resident outcomes, and (3) two or more NHs included. Reviewers extracted data on study design, setting, population, problem, solution to address problem, QI strategies, and outcomes (implementation, service, and resident). Vote counting and narrative synthesis were used to describe the use of QI strategies, implementation outcomes, and service and/or resident outcomes.ResultsOf 2302 articles identified, the full text of 77 articles reporting on 59 studies were included. Studies focused on 23 clinical problems, most commonly pressure ulcers, falls, and pain. Studies used an average of 6 to 7 QI strategies. The rate that strategies were used varied substantially, e.g., the rate of in-person training (55%) was more than twice the rate of plan-do-study-act cycles (20%). On average, studies assessed two implementation outcomes; the rate these outcomes were used varied widely, with 37% reporting on staff perceptions (e.g., feasibility) of solutions or QI strategies vs. 8% reporting on fidelity and sustainment. Most studies (n = 49) reported service outcomes and over half (n = 34) reported resident outcomes. In studies with statistical tests of improvement, service outcomes improved more often than resident outcomes.ConclusionsThis study maps-out the scope of published, peer-reviewed studies of QI in NHs. The findings suggest preliminary guidance for future studies designed to promote the replication and synthesis of promising solutions. The findings also suggest strategies to refine procedures for more effective improvement work in NHs.

Project description:IntroductionSafety climates are perceptions of safety culture shared by staff in organizational units. Measuring staff perceptions of patient safety culture by using safety climate surveys is a possible way of addressing patient safety. Studies have documented that patient safety climates vary significantly between work sites in hospitals. Across-ward variations in the measurements of safety climate factor scores may indicate ward-specific risk of adverse events related to patient care routines, work environment, staff behaviour, and patient results. Variation in patient safety climates has not yet been explored in nursing homes.ObjectivesTo investigate whether the Norwegian translation of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire-Ambulatory Version is useful to identify significant variation in the patient safety climate factor scores: Teamwork climate, Safety climate, Job satisfaction, Working conditions, Stress recognition, and Perceptions of management, across wards in nursing homes.MethodsFour hundred and sixty three employees from 34 wards in five nursing homes were invited to participate. Cronbach alphas were computed based on individual respondents' scores on the six patient safety climate factor scores. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated by multilevel analysis to measure patient safety climate variance at ward level.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty eight (62.2%) returned the questionnaire. At ward level Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the factors were 10.2% or higher for the factors Safety climate, Working conditions and Perceptions of management, 2.4% or lower for Teamwork climate, Job satisfaction, and zero for Stress recognition. ICC for variance at nursing home level was zero or less than one per cent for all factor scores.ConclusionsStaff perceptions of Safety climate, Working conditions and Perceptions of management varied significantly across wards. These factor scores may, therefore, be used to identify wards in nursing homes with high and low risk of adverse events, and guide improvement resources to where they are most needed.

Project description:Background:The implementation of clearly structured dementia-specific case conferences could be an important tool to enable nursing staff to properly analyse and manage challenging behaviour in nursing home residents with dementia. A process evaluation of the responses of nursing homes to the implementation of WELCOME-IdA (Wittener model of case conferences for people with dementia - the Innovative dementia-oriented Assessment tool) was carried out to gain insight into which key elements of the intervention were adopted by the nursing homes and which elements were adapted. Methods:This study was part of a larger process evaluation using a qualitative design. Thirty-four semi-structured telephone interviews and 15 focus group interviews were conducted in four nursing homes. The interviews were analysed using deductive content analysis, although inductive categories have been developed. Results:Nursing home staff adopted the roles of moderator, case reporter, keeper of the minutes and reflection partner in WELCOME-IdA, but the selection of the staff members who filled these roles differed across nursing homes. The recommended group size of 5-8 participants per case conference was sometimes adopted. The key element of having core nursing teams who participated continuously in all case conferences was not adopted at all. Instead, there was a high level of rotation among staff members. The pre-defined process structure of WELCOME-IdA was adapted in such a way that the assessment of the residents' behaviour and the selection of the relevant domain for the behaviour analysis were conducted in advance of the case conference. The evaluation of the interventions was also organized differently. Conclusion:The scope of the response implies that WELCOME-IdA requires further adaptation to the requirements of nursing processes in nursing homes. The results provide important information on the selection of role keepers and offer insights into a) how knowledge of the structured training was circulated and transformed into self-organized case conferences and b) how knowledge was circulated throughout the entire processing of one case. Thus, these results can be used to optimize intervention and implementation. Overall, the intervention should allow more possibilities for tailored adaptation than it currently does.

Project description:ObjectiveThe objective was to explore students' perceptions of learning quality improvement (QI) in a virtual setting and identify factors that promote or inhibit virtual learning.DesignWe used an exploratory case study design with focus group interviews. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach, with an analytical framework derived from activity theory and Bloom's revised taxonomy of six categories of cognitive processes of learning.SettingPostgraduate students participating in a virtual 1-day simulation module to learn QI at two universities in Norway.ParticipantsFour focus groups with a total of 12 participants.ResultsThe students' descriptions of learning outcomes indicate that the learning activity involved a variety of cognitive activities, including higher-order cognitive processes. We identified three themes pertaining to the students' experiences of the virtual learning activity: learning through active participation, constructing a virtual learning opportunity and creating a virtual learning environment. The students described that participation and active engagement led to a greater understanding and an integration of theory and practical improvement skills. They reported that to engage in the virtual learning opportunity, it was necessary to create a learning environment where they felt psychologically safe.ConclusionOur findings indicate that it is possible to facilitate collaborative learning integrating theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a virtual setting. Students experienced that engaging in the virtual learning activity contributed to the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Psychological safety seems to be important for students' engagement in the virtual learning activity. A virtual learning environment alters prior common norms for interaction based on physical presence, which in turn affect students feeling of psychological safety. Educators need to be aware of this and facilitate a virtual learning environment where students feel comfortable to engage.

Project description:BackgroundDementia is regularly associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD, also referred to as challenging behavior). Structured dementia-specific case conferences (DSCCs) enable nursing staff in nursing homes (NHs) to analyze and handle the BPSD of residents with dementia. The FallDem trial estimated the effectiveness of the structured DSCC intervention WELCOME-IdA (Wittener model of case conferences for people with dementia - the Innovative dementia-oriented Assessment tool) in NHs in Germany. No significant change in the overall prevalence of challenging behavior was found. A multipart process evaluation was conducted to explain this result.MethodsThis qualitative process evaluation of the response of individuals, perceived maintenance, effectiveness, and unintended consequences was part of the multipart process evaluation that followed the framework by Grant et al. (Trials 14: 15, 2013). It used the data from semi-structured telephone interviews and focus group interviews with nurses and managers as secondary data. Selected domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) were used as deductive categories for a directed content analysis.ResultsThe interviewees in all NHs appraised WELCOME-IdA as generating positive change, although it proved important that some adjustments were made to the intervention and the organization. Thirteen CFIR constructs out of the domains intervention characteristics, inner setting, and process proved to be essential for understanding the different course that the implementation of WELCOME-IdA took in each of the four NHs. This is reflected in three types of WELCOME-IdA implementation: (1) priority on adjusting the intervention to fit the organization, (2) priority on adjusting the organization to fit the intervention, and (3) no setting of priorities in adjusting either the organization or the intervention.ConclusionThe unsatisfying results of the FallDem effectiveness trial can in part be explained with regard to the interplay between the intervention and the implementation which was revealed in the processes that occurred in the organizations during the implementation of the WELCOME-IdA intervention. Future implementation of WELCOME-IdA should be tailored based on an analysis of the organization's readiness, resources, and capacities and should also define custom-made intervention and implementation outcomes to measure success. Furthermore, our results confirm that the CFIR can be used beneficially to conduct process evaluations.

Dataset Information

Importance of Team Functioning as a Target of Quality Improvement Initiatives in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Process Evaluation.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Publications

Importance of Team Functioning as a Target of Quality Improvement Initiatives in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Process Evaluation.

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