Abstract
Aims: The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program requires residential aged care providers to report quarterly data across 14 indicators. The QI data is intended to drive continuous improvement, but registered nurse clinical experience and capacity have a significant impact on documentation competence (data entry) with the potential to significantly compromise data integrity. A concerning issue as the QI data contributes to datasets used for industry benchmarking and policy decisions. This study integrated components of a residential aged-care providers clinical QI data aggregation process into routine resident assessment practice. A key element of the innovation was developing Registered Nurses’ (RN) comprehensive assessment capacity through a blended model of engagement and education.
Methods: Normalisation Process Theory was used to inform and support the assessment practice changes. The innovation was piloted at two nursing homes.
Results: The engagement and education component was collaboratively developed with provider participants across three topic areas: mentorship (developing clinical leaders’ capacity to support assessment modifications), comprehensive assessment (assessment & critical reflection), communication (between health professionals and with consumers). Acceptability and utility were high in post implementation surveys and interviews with clinical and executive participants. Most understood/appreciated the inclusion of clinical QI in resident assessment and had benefited from the education. The collaborative process, workflow efficiencies, and improved attitudes towards assessment were also cited.
Conclusion: Integrating QI data acquisition into routine resident assessments and engaging and upskilling clinical staff has the potential to create workflow efficiencies, improve data quality, and integrate QIs into care practices.