Strengthening quality of care and its indicators in partnership with long-term care facilities: Protocol for the Swiss National Implementation Programme NIP-Q-UPGRADE
Presenter(s):
Nereide Curreri, University of Applied Sciences & Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Switzerland
Abstract
Introduction
Quality improvement is essential in long-term care for older adults. Reporting medical quality indicators (MQI) is commonplace in the global north, but the utilisation of the data of these indicators in supporting data-driven care quality improvement remains uncertain. This paper presents the Swiss National Implementation Programme – Strengthening Quality of Care in Partnership with Residential Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) for Older People (NIP-Q-UPGRADE), that aims to develop data-driven quality in Swiss LTCFs by 1) strengthening robustness of MQI data, 2) supporting LTCFs in data-driven quality development, 3) introducing further quality indicators.
Methods
NIP-Q-UPGRADE is grounded in implementation science principles, using EPIS (exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainment) as a process framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) for its contextual analyses, and it has a strong participatory approach. Sub-studies focus on understanding current context, leveraging expertise, developing and piloting actionable intervention bundles with corresponding strategies aimed at supporting LTCFs, health professionals, and other interest groups, and preparing a national scale-up. Methodologies include literature reviews, ethnographic research, international case studies, intervention mapping, online-surveys, participatory workshops as well as pragmatic trials offering structured trainings and support material.
Results
Results up to date describe a heterogeneous Swiss context with differences in care professionals’ knowledge of national medical quality indicators yet consistent across the regions is the desire for more guidance and support material to better apply the MQI data to quality development. To address these context results, a pilot project introducing a toolbox is running with preliminary positive outcomes and feedback. Also, preliminary findings from an eDelphi on further potential quality indicators show broad consensus on including the quality of life dimension, albeit highlighting complexities in how to measure it.
Conclusion
NIP-Q-UPGRADE will implement strategies and inform policies for sustainable, data-driven quality development. Results will inform national quality improvement implementation applicable to global LTC policies and practices.
Keywords: long term care, older adults, quality development, quality indicators, quality of care
Bio(s):
Dr. in Dementia Studies, Nereide Curreri, Researcher at the Competence Centre of Ageing, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), is a gerontologist with experience of direct care in the LTC field, and as a researcher has focused on health and social care integration through care pathways, integrated care at micro, meso and macro levels, and quality of life and care in different LTC settings. She is experienced in cross-national comparative multicultural projects, is embedded in the Swiss LTC networks, and accomplished in qualitative methods.