Quality Improvement Project for Older Persons Ward

Description

A quality improvement project which initially started with the formation of an Older Persons Steering Group, with an overall aim to improve care standards for our older adults in the hospital. This initial idea has now grown to the development of several projects on the ward from a variety of discipline’s. The projects include
1.The appointment of a nurse specialist for dementia with specific oversite of quality improvement projects and collaboration with the local university nursing professor for older adults.
2.Environmental ward improvements particularly aiming to provide a more dementia friendly environment.
3. Improved communication for persons with dementia with the introduction of a communication screening tool.
4. Care plan development for the older adult ward,
5. A one year pilot initiative of a health and well being HCA who works on the ward incorporating daily HCA duties with wider activities and art therapy for our older adults.
6. Improved standards with psychotropic prescribing practices with monthly audits and ward based education
7. Improved delirium screening practices with regular auditing and education sessions at ward level
8. Improved data collection by therapy staff for discharge pathways and length of stays
8. Introduction of Volunteers to the ward

Aim of Initiative

The overall aim is to provide a quality service based on best practice guidelines for our older persons ward in the hospital.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative involves the entire multi disciplinary team for the ward to provide quality care for our older adults admitted to the ward.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Development of the steering group involving the entire MDT representatives for the older persons service.
2. Appointment of the Clinical Nurse Specialist to drive the initiative with collaboration from the nursing professor from UCC for support
3. Drive to appoint the Health and Well Being post to support non pharmacological based activities for the patients admitted to our ward.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Short staffing levels
2. Reluctance for change initially
3. Overall layout of ward, lack of space, no day room for patients

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Improved prescribing practices for psychotropic medications.
2. Dementia Friendly environmental improvements.
3. MDT projects for quality improvements:
   – Improved collaboration and exchange of ideas with MDT staff
   – Communication initiatives for patients with dementia
   – Delirium management
   – Care plan documentation
   – Improved education on dementia care
   – Discharge pathways
   – Improved initiative for change
   – Volunteers providing companionship for patients