Implementation of an interprofessional communication and collaboration intervention to improve care capacity for heart failure management in long-term care.

Implementation of an interprofessional communication and collaboration intervention to improve care capacity for heart failure management in long-term care. J Interprof Care. 2017 Sep 06;:1-10 Authors: Boscart VM, Heckman GA, Huson K, Brohman L, Harkness KI, Hirdes J, McKelvie RS, Stolee P Abstract Heart failure affects up to 20% of nursing home residents and is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and transfers to acute care. A major barrier to heart failure management in nursing home settings is limited interprofessional communication. Guideline-based heart failure management programs in nursing homes can reduce hospitalisation rates, though sustainability is limited when interprofessional communication is not addressed. A pilot intervention, 'Enhancing Knowledge and Interprofessional Care for Heart Failure', was implemented on two units in two conveniently selected nursing homes to optimise interprofessional care processes amongst the care team. A core heart team was established, and participants received tailored education focused on heart failure management principles and communication processes, as well as weekly mentoring. Our previous work provided evidence for this intervention's acceptability and implementation fidelity. This paper focuses on the preliminary impact of the intervention on staff heart failure knowledge, communication, and interprofessional collaboration. To determine the initial impact of the interventi...
Source: Journal of Interprofessional Care - Category: Health Management Tags: J Interprof Care Source Type: research