Makingthedifference
CARE TEAM NOMINATED FOR HEALTH AWARD THE FINALISTS Project to improve continence among the elderly yielded a range of unexpected results
BY LISA GRAY AS A nation we are living longer and we all want to age as well as possible.
That’s why initiatives like the NHS Lanarkshire Care Home Continence Improvement Project are so important.
The aim of the ninemonth project was to improve continence and to reduce safety risks in the two care homes which agreed to take part.
But it yielded other benefits, with a cut in falls, infections, confusion and stress, particularly among those with dementia.
Jean Donaldson, associate director of nursing for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “It’s exceeded expectations. We expected that we could improve continence by making a few small changes.
“We did not expect that we would reduce the amount of falls, urine infections and – what’s been reported by some of the relatives and the staff – confusion and stress.”
Alice MacLeod, senior nurse from national procurement, said: “The outcomes were astonishing. We had a very conservative target of a 25 per cent reduction in the use of incontinence pads – and saw a 58 per cent reduction.”
The care bundle is now being rolled out to a further eight care homes in Lanarkshire and the results are attracting attention internationally.
Jean added: “We have identified eight homes, who are more than happy to work with us after hearing about the good work.”
The project’s team are finalists in the Integrated Care for Older People category at Thursday’s Scottish Health Awards at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.
Jean said: “We are delighted to be nominated. It’s not just down to Alice and I – this was a team effort. Without everyone doing their bit, none of this would have happened.” SUPPORT WORKER AWARD Leanne Johnston Hayley Nisbet Joanna Sigmund Community/District Nursing Staff, Plean Street Clinic The Multi-disciplinary Team at NHS Centre for Integrative Care Dave Slade Glasgow Recovery Communities Move More Renfrewshire & RAH Surgical Team