Pilot implementation of elder-friendly care practices in acute care setting: a mixed methods study.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Care Management

Background:

• Frail older adults are susceptible to functional decline during hospitalization.
• The Elder-Friendly Care (EFC) program was developed to enhance care and outcomes for this population.
• The EFC project supported 8 Early Adoption Sites (EAS) with resources and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usefulness of EFC educational materials and resources.
• To assess staff practice changes and perceptions in pilot sites.
• To determine the readiness for scaling and spreading the EFC program.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach using the Kirkpatrick Model of Training/Evaluation (May 2017-June 2018).
• A survey of 76 Direct Care Staff assessing awareness, satisfaction, and utilization of EFC principles.
• 12 semi-structured interviews with staff involved in EFC implementation.

Main Results:

• 86% of participants were aware of the EFC program, and 85% reported implementing EFC practices.
• Key practice changes included reduced use of restraints and enhanced patient/family care planning.
• Staff attending all 3 EFC Learning Workshops were significantly more likely to recommend the EFC Toolkit.

Conclusions:

• EFC educational materials and resources are valued by Direct Care Staff.
• The EFC intervention is perceived as effective in driving practice change and reducing complications in older patients.
• Future research will explore EFC's impact on system-level outcomes in acute care settings.