Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Sustainability of an innovation to support and respond to persons with behaviors related to Dementia and Delirium

2^nd International Conference on Geriatrics & Gerontology

August 24-26, 2015 Toronto, Canada

Leslie Gillies

Norfolk General Hospital, Canada

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care, a program designed for staff caring for patients in long term care who exhibit challenging behaviors was implemented and has been sustained in an acute care setting. Outcomes include fewer codes indicating violent situations, a reduction in physical restraint and sitter use, and fewer reports of safety incidents involving agitated patients. GPA in Dementia Care, a person-centered curriculum designed to improve staff confidence when working with patients who exhibit behavioral symptoms was successfully implemented in multiple acute care units and departments. This was the first time that this program, designed for long-term care, was implemented for staff in acute care setting across a large multi-site organization. Key factors that affected ability to sustain the program included adopting and adapting a previously well received, established curriculum (at present > 200,000 staff in settings in Canada have participated); relevance for staff, managers, other stakeholders, and senior leadership; engaging teams and groups to facilitate sustainability; involving leaders; integrating knowledge into policies; and pursuing sources of 1-time funding to demonstrate the benefit of dedicating operating funding to ongoing sustainability efforts. GPA is a tangible and effective intervention to support improvement of the patient experience in the acute care hospital setting.

Biography :

Leslie Gillies is Director of the Perioperative Services, Critical Care Program, Respiratory Therapy Service and Haldimand Norfolk Diabetes Program at Norfolk General Hospital, Simcoe Ontario, Canada. She completed her BScN at McMaster University and MEd (Administration) at Brock University. She serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University, School of Nursing since 1990 and previously worked at Hamilton Health Sciences as a Chief of Nursing and Chief of Interprofessional Practice.