Abstract
Background: Quality healthcare aspires to be person-centred, safe and effective (Scottish Government, 2010). Within the specialist palliative care setting, the use of patient reported outcome measurement is one way of promoting a person-centred approach to care, and improving the quality of services provided. To date however, the use of validated outcome measures in clinical practice is still in its infancy, despite evidence to suggest its effectiveness at improving patient outcomes (Bausewein et al, 2015, Clark, 2015).
Aims: At Ardgowan Hospice we aimed to introduce two measures: Phase of Illness and the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) into all clinical areas. This was a two phased study. The first phase focused on the successful introduction of Phase of Illness and IPOS into the inpatient unit (IPU) and the community specialist nursing (CNS) team. The second phase was rolling out the implementation to day services and outpatient clinics.
Methods: Using quality improvement tools, we carried out Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) test cycles of change. Change ideas tested included different methods to engage staff including staff seminars and training, IT software development, and patient involvement and feedback. The PDSA test cycles were reflected upon and the lessons learned used to inform new test cycles.
Results: Multiple test cycles were undertaken within clinical areas. Reflective learning from each test cycle found the most important contributors to a successful test were:
•• Consistent and timely staff training
•• Facilitation of measures driven by clinical leads
•• Sharing of information to inform person-centred care
•• Ease of completion for staff and patients.
Conclusions: The adoption of an improvement approach has facilitated a phased and systematic implementation of outcome measures at Ardgowan Hospice. Using these outcome measures has enhanced person-centred care, by focusing on what matters to the patient, and is informing the weekly multidisciplinary meetings which coordinate ongoing care.
Aims: At Ardgowan Hospice we aimed to introduce two measures: Phase of Illness and the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) into all clinical areas. This was a two phased study. The first phase focused on the successful introduction of Phase of Illness and IPOS into the inpatient unit (IPU) and the community specialist nursing (CNS) team. The second phase was rolling out the implementation to day services and outpatient clinics.
Methods: Using quality improvement tools, we carried out Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) test cycles of change. Change ideas tested included different methods to engage staff including staff seminars and training, IT software development, and patient involvement and feedback. The PDSA test cycles were reflected upon and the lessons learned used to inform new test cycles.
Results: Multiple test cycles were undertaken within clinical areas. Reflective learning from each test cycle found the most important contributors to a successful test were:
•• Consistent and timely staff training
•• Facilitation of measures driven by clinical leads
•• Sharing of information to inform person-centred care
•• Ease of completion for staff and patients.
Conclusions: The adoption of an improvement approach has facilitated a phased and systematic implementation of outcome measures at Ardgowan Hospice. Using these outcome measures has enhanced person-centred care, by focusing on what matters to the patient, and is informing the weekly multidisciplinary meetings which coordinate ongoing care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S105-S106 |
| Journal | Palliative Medicine |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 6 Mar 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2016 |
| Event | Palliative Care Congress: The 11th Palliative Care Congress - SECC, Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 9 Mar 2016 → 11 Mar 2016 |