Recognizing and responding to deterioration in care homes: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Older adults in care homes present complex health needs, with conditions like frailty and cognitive impairment leading to unpredictable health changes.
• Understanding how care home staff identify and manage acute deterioration is crucial for improving resident outcomes.
• This research addresses the need to explore current recognition and response strategies for acutely unwell residents in care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and synthesize published primary research on how care home staff recognize and respond to acutely deteriorating residents.
• To include relevant policies, guidelines, and protocols related to the management of acute health decline in care home settings.
• To explore existing knowledge and identify potential gaps in the recognition and response to acute deterioration among care home residents.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review methodology will be employed.
• Searches will encompass bibliographic databases, university repositories, and gray literature, including policy documents and organizational reports.
• Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent researchers, with a third consulted for disagreements, using an adapted JBI data extraction form.

Main Results:

• Results will be presented in a tabular format.
• A narrative summary will accompany the data, directly addressing the review's objectives.
• The synthesis will focus on identifying patterns and themes in the recognition and response to acute deterioration.

Conclusions:

• The findings will provide insights into current practices for managing deteriorating residents in care homes.
• This review aims to inform the development of improved protocols and training for care home staff.
• Understanding these processes is vital for minimizing adverse health events and enhancing the quality of care for older adults in residential settings.