REAL Services, host agency to North Central Indiana Quality Improvement Collaborative, assists participating facilities in seeking equipment to enhance quality of life for residents experiences chronic pain.
The Collaborative meets monthly, and is currently working toward reducing pain levels in residents who engage in Expressive Arts within their daily routine. The Regional Healthcare Quality Improvement Collaborative Grant made training opportunities and equipment available to facilities to support resident engagement in Expressive Arts.
Julia Cole, Activity Director of Pilgrim Manor in Plymouth shares, “I requested equipment that will benefit residents in viewing family pictures and videos posted on social media. Residents don’t completely understand the internet, we want to help maintain those relationships through available technology. We will be able to support residents with visual impairments as well. “ Julia believes that residents will notice a decrease in their own pain levels.
The current project began February 2018 and will continue until the end of May 2018. Research data is shared with Indiana State Department of Health and with University of Indianapolis-Center for Aging and Community. To learn how a facility can become involved in North Central Indiana Quality Improvement Collaborative, contact REAL Services, at 574-284-2644.
Recent history of the Collaborative: in January 2015, the Indiana State Department of Health launched the Regional Healthcare Quality Improvement Collaborative grant. The grant has funded nine regional collaboratives across the state with the goal of improving quality of care in Indiana long term care (LTC) facilities. Each collaborative implements the Quality Assurance Process Improvement (QAPI) model.
In North Central Indiana, all the nursing facilities in five counties (Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, and St. Joseph) were invited to join Regional Collaborative. Locally, the NCIQIC has been improving quality of care and health outcomes. Previous projects resulted in increasing Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) staff retention by 17% and reducing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) by 56.75%, and resident falls reduced by 40%. For additional information contact REAL Services, at 574-284-2644.
