Exploring the Safewards Programme to Reduce Restrictive Practices in Residential Aged Care: Protocol for a Pilot and...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Nursing

Background:

• Restrictive practice use in aged care homes is a significant international concern.
• Existing policies aim to reduce restraint use, but effective strategies remain unclear.
• There's a need for practical interventions to decrease restraint use in aged care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing the Safewards program in Australian residential aged care homes.
• To explore facilitators and barriers to Safewards implementation in this setting.
• To gather pilot data informing a future effectiveness trial.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods pilot and feasibility study design.
• Implementation of the Safewards program in two residential aged care facilities.
• Evaluation using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• Qualitative data collection through interviews with residents, families, staff, and leaders.

Main Results:

• Pilot evidence on the feasibility of Safewards in residential aged care.
• Identification of implementation processes and necessary adaptations.
• Insights into facilitators and barriers for successful adoption.

Conclusions:

• The study provides initial feasibility data for the Safewards program in aged care.
• Findings will guide a larger trial to determine Safewards' effectiveness.
• Results support international policy efforts to reduce restrictive practices in aged care.