Best Practice Recommendations for Microtransitions: One-Pager Recommendations
What can you do to ensure that room changes, medical appointments, and non-medical outings for residents at your facility are safe and successful? Below are a few tips to get you started.
Communication And Transfer of Information
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Include the patient/resident, nursing teams, clinical care teams, recreational staff, facility primary care team, trip escorts, and responsible parties in communication and decision-making
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Communicate dietary modifications and restrictions, next medication administration times, monitoring parameters, education on specialized equipment, transmission-based precautions, new recommendations, medications, diagnoses, treatments and orders
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Transfer information via verbal (ideal), portal, electronic medical record, email, or fax communication.
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Communicate essential information related to the status of cognitive impairment with trip escorts and new care teams.
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Ask residents if they want to participate.
Adverse Event Monitoring, Preparation, and Mitigation
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Ensure availability of prescribed medications—both routine medications that are due during an outing and emergency medications for life threatening conditions. Implement a plan to safely administer all medications .
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Outline a behavioral care plan before outings
Purpose and Destination of Transition
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Utilize an appropriate number of trip escort(s) based on the trip’s location, specific outing activities, and risk for wandering.
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Evaluate risk-benefit in the event of acute medical or cognitive changes based on the outing’s purpose.
Equipment and Environmental Safety Considerations
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Bring necessary glasses, hearing aids, mobility devices, or other medical supplies.
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Adjust apparel based on environment and climate.
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Place pictures, furniture, and other room items in familiar locations during room changes.
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Communicate transportation and accessibility needs to those assisting with outings.
Skill Level of Caregiver/Escort
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Inform escorts who to call and how to obtain necessary clinical information in the event of an emergency.
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Provide trained supervision for residents at risk for behaviors that may endanger themselves or others.
Want more? Read the full paper, with all 51 best practice recommendations here.