Bridges to Care Long-Term Care Project
Sustaining Interprofessional Teamwork and Shared Learning in Long-Term Care
This interprofessional quality improvement project, funded by Health Force Ontario, was aimed at improving evidence-based knowledge-to-practice resources for clinicians within Long-Term Care. Over 18 months the Centre for Studies in Aging & Health at Providence Care partnered with organizations in Kingston, Ottawa, Maxville and Thunder Bay to improve the care and quality of life for residents and improve satisfaction and quality of work life for caregivers. The Bridges to Care initiative evolved into a collaborative resident-centred model whereby teams engaged in a quality improvement process that positively impacted care and practice.
After conducting an environmental scan and needs assessment for each pilot site, the resource development team developed tailored Knowledge-to-Practice Resources including Tool Kits for the following common care issues in Long-Term Care:
- Acquired Infections in Long-Term Care: Pneumonia
- Acquired Infections in Long-Term Care: Urinary Tract Infections
- Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Long-Term Care
- Preventing Falls and Injuries in Long-Term Care
The materials, including care plans, decision-supports and communication-collaboration aids were specifically targeted for interprofessional practice in LTC and built upon existing resources, evidence and best practice guidelines.
Two Bridges to Care Knowledge-to-Practice Workshops were held in Kingston, Ontario on November 9-10, 2009 and March 29-30, 2010. In between the workshops the teams received mentoring and remote support to further evolve their quality improvement plan. Quality improvement plans, progress and outcomes were presented at the second workshop.
OUTCOMES
The model, which was piloted in six sites, demonstrated success in terms of engaging and empowering team members, practical implementation of quality improvement plans and creating an environment supportive of adult learning and collaborative practice.
Sustainability at one year was demonstrated. Continued spread of this quality improvement initiative was valued and supported locally and provincially; which evolved into the provincial Residents First program for long-term care homes. Residents First strengthens the long-term care sectors capacity for ongoing quality improvement.
PROJECT PARTNERS
- Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington
- Centre for Education and Research in Aging & Health, Thunder Bay
- Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa
- Health Quality Ontario
- Helen Henderson Care Centre, Kingston
- Maxville Manor, Maxville
- Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy
- Pinewood Court, Thunder Bay
- Providence Care
- Providence Manor, Kingston
- Queen’s University, Department of Family Medicine, Kingston
- Regional Geriatric Program of Eastern Ontario
- Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
- Résidence Saint-Louis, Orleans
KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION ACITIVITIES
Knowledge-to-Practice Summits
- Disseminated and celebrated the activities and findings of the Bridges to Care Long-Term Care Project (2010): Ottawa, ON, June 14; Thunder Bay, ON, September 16 and Kingston, ON, October 4.
Tool Kits
- Acquired Infections in Long-Term Care: Pneumonia
- Acquired Infections in Long-Term Care: Urinary Tract Infections
- Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) in Long-Term Care
- BPSD Resource Guide for Staff in LTC and Complex Continuing Care
- Preventing Falls and Injuries in Long-Term Care
Presentations
- Brander, R., Puxty, J. (2011). Bridges to Care: Fostering Interprofessional Teamwork, Shared Learning and Creating Long-Term Care (LTC) Learning Organizations. Interprofessional Education Conference, Toronto, ON. January 25.
- Brander, R., Murphy, S., Puxty, J. (2011). Bridges to Care: Sustaining Interprofessional Teamwork & Shared Learning in LTC. Canadian Association on Gerontology: Annual Scientific & Educational Meeting. Ottawa, ON. October 23.
Publication
- Puxty, J., Brander, R.A., Murphy, S., Byrnes, V. (2011). Promoting Quality Improvement in Long Term Care: A Multi-site Collaboration to Improve Outcomes with Infection, Falls and Behavioural Issues in Dementia.
