Performance improvement in managed long-term care: physician communication in managing community-dwelling older adults

Home Healthc Nurse. 2010 Feb;28(2):105-14. doi: 10.1097/NHH.0b013e3181cb5a11.

Abstract

This performance improvement initiative focused on the nurse consultant's communication with the physician about care management of community-dwelling older adults. Three defined areas were measured: (1) changes in clinical setting, (2) reporting adverse effects from medications that can contribute to falls, and (3) HbA1c results >9. Physicians were informed of our quality initiative; nurse practitioners led workshops addressing barriers to effective communication; and portable reference cards were created to assist staff in organizing information prior to contacting a physician. The Project Goal of 10% improvement for all three indicators was achieved. Staff identified best practices for communicating with physicians.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Benchmarking
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Communication*
  • Community Health Nursing / education
  • Community Health Nursing / organization & administration
  • Continuity of Patient Care / organization & administration
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing / organization & administration
  • Home Care Services / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care / organization & administration*
  • Managed Care Programs / organization & administration*
  • Needs Assessment
  • New York
  • Nurse Clinicians / education
  • Nurse Clinicians / organization & administration
  • Nurse Clinicians / psychology
  • Nurse Practitioners / education
  • Nurse Practitioners / organization & administration
  • Nurse Practitioners / psychology
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Physician-Nurse Relations*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care / organization & administration
  • Reminder Systems
  • Total Quality Management / organization & administration*