Translating evidence into practice and policy

Translating Evidence

My innovation is to create an in service for medical staff for dealing with difficult dementia patients. The theory behind this approach is that a stable, familiar and friendly environment reduces the patient's behavior problems substantially (Zimmerman, 2010).

My participants for this study would be dementia patients within the nursing home system that currently are showing signs of difficulty such as wandering, confusion or frustration. I would also need to include the families in the study as the family must play a consistent component in the program. Finally, I would include willing nurses who would sign an agreement that they will not terminate work at the inn center until the patient is transferred.

This study would need to be one of convenience instead of randomization. The candidates must meet very specific criteria that requires previous observation and selection. Additionally, this is not a blind study so there is no need for any of the participants to be unaware or for myself to remain unbiased, as I am measuring the reactions of already unpredictable individuals.

I would encourage people to participate by educating the families and nurses on the perceived advantages of my approach. With regard to the families, it will provide a much more stable comfortable environment for their family member, which means less negative reactions and less need for medications. With regard to the nurses, it will make for an easier routine because the patients are less likely to become difficult or unpredictable.

Zimmerman, S., Mitchell, C. & Reed, D. (2010). Outcomes of a dementia care training program for staff in nursing homes and residential care/assisted living settings. Alzheimer's Care. 11(2). 83-99

Question Two

The majority of the desired results for my study rest on excellence of the nursing staff. Whereas in normal nursing home environments patients are constantly over stimulated, sleep is disturbed and patients are transferred (Gould, 2010). With regard to dementia patients, all of these nursing-related areas increase the chances of confusion and difficulty with the patient.

Instead, my innovation would be to set up an inn facility where each patient would have consistency above all else. The day staff would keep the patients on a regimented schedule for all meals, bathroom breaks and activities. The room would be decorated with calendars, clocks and other features to help the patient avoid disorientation. The night staff would be limited to only intervening and entering rooms in the event of an emergency to ensure each patient receives proper sleep.