´óÏóÊÓƵ

Detecting and promptly reporting changes in a nursing home resident's condition are critical for ensuring the resident's well-being and safety. Such changes may represent a patient safety problem, and they can be a signal that the resident is at increased risk for falling and other complications.

Training nursing home staff—particularly nursing staff—to be on the lookout for changes in a nursing home resident's condition and to effectively communicate those changes is one tool nursing home administrators can employ to improve patient safety, create a more resident-centered environment, and reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries.

Course Content

These new educational materials are intended for use in training front-line personnel in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The materials were developed for the ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) under a contract to the RAND Corporation. They are organized into three modules:

• Module 1: Detecting Change in a Resident's Condition.
• Module 2: Communicating Change in a Resident's Condition.
• Module 3: Falls Prevention and Management.

The Instructor Guide comprises all three modules, including suggested slides and pre- and post-tests to gauge the student's knowledge level before and after training. Separate student workbooks are available for each module.