A Systems Approach to Falls and Discharge Planning

The aim of this study is to generate knowledge on how to improve care for people living with dementia who are in acute hospital. The framework for data collection will be the SHEL [Software (policy) , Hardware (equipment), Environment and Liveware (people)] guidelines. This tool has been chosen for this research because Adams (2008) as well as George, Long, and Vincent (2013) argue that in order to improve care for people with dementia it is important to focus on both wider distal elements like the structural components of an organisation in addition to proximal features like the people factor.

This framework will allow for interview data to be collected on the following:

1. Interactions between patient, carers and staff. 2. Hardware (equipment) used on the ward. 3. Software (paperwork/policy). 4. The hospital environment.

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Key information

Conditions

Dementia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Discharge Planning Falls Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bournemouth, United Kingdom

About this study

Background: The Care Quality Commission (2016) notes that the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RBCH) has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at improving care given to people with dementia. However, feedback from patients with dementia indicate that improvements are still required (Care Quality Commission, 2016). Therefore, the main aim of this study is to explore how a systems based approach can be used to help with the discharge planning process and the reduction of falls amongst people with dementia by conducting interviews with hospital staff and carers of people with dementia.

Research question: How can a systems perspective contribute to reducing length of stay for people with dementia in an acute hospital through improvements in discharge planning and falls prevention?

Setting: This study will be conducted at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Duration:This study is not expected to last longer than three months.

Methods: The researcher will interview hospital staff and carers of people with dementia for a period of approximately thirty minutes. This study will use a hospital systems approach to identify the following: 1) communication and interpersonal strategies used by professionals in the discharge planning process and the reduction of falls, 2) the effectiveness of equipment such as manual handling aides in helping with the discharge planning process and the reduction of falls amongst people with dementia, 3) the impact of policies in the discharge planning process and the reduction of falls, and 4) the influence of the ward environment in helping with the discharge planning process and the reduction of falls. These questions are embedded in Edwards's (1972), Hawkins's (1987) and Zecevic et al.'s (2007) theoretical framework (interactions, environment, policies and equipment).

The findings from this study will be used to inform practice.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Staff (nursing, medical, allied healthcare professionals, support staff) - those who have worked with people who have dementia and are able and willing to provide informed consent.
Carers of people with dementia (paid or unpaid) - those who visit the ward regularly and who are able and willing to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Staff (nursing, medical, allied healthcare professionals, support staff)

Staff who have not worked with people who have dementia
Staff who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.
Carers of people with dementia

People who do not visit patient's on the ward, regularly.
People who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.

Treatment and study plan

Qualitative Interviews

Other

What are the roles of organisational factors, education and policy in shaping the experiences of staff and carers who care for people with dementia?

Primary outcomes

Systems approach interview guide

Time frame: 3 months

Hospital staff and carers experiences of caring for patients with dementia.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bournemouth University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Improving the Short Term Management of Patients With Dementia Admitted to Hospital

Important dates

Study start: 2019
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2020
First posted: May 22, 2019
Registry last updated: Nov 1, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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