Distance learning: a strategy for improving incontinence care in nursing homes.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Home Care
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Implementing best practices in nursing homes is challenging.
• Translating research into practice requires feasible interventions and tailored dissemination.
• Incontinence management is a complex area requiring effective strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a distance learning model for nursing home incontinence management.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing prompted voiding via teleconferencing.
• To evaluate a strategy for translating research into nursing home practice.

Main Methods:

• A distance learning model using monthly teleconferences over 8 months.
• Nurse supervisors from 14 nursing homes participated.
• Implementation of prompted voiding was assessed through field assignments and data collection.

Main Results:

• Average attendance of 6.5 teleconferences per facility, with 3 staff members per session.
• Significant improvement in quiz scores (16% increase) post-training.
• 44.8% of assessed incontinent residents (117/261) were maintained on prompted voiding.

Conclusions:

• The distance learning model for incontinence management is feasible and effective.
• The model successfully translated research into practice in nursing homes.
• This low-cost strategy shows promise for improving resident care and management.