The quality improvement and participation section, recently worked with a large provider to help improve dementia care and reduce inappropriate psychoactive medication, for people living with dementia.
he project gave frontline staff the freedom and safety to innovate, initiate and test change ideas relevant to their local context. These included changes to environment, personal care, activity and wellbeing, medication reviews and staff practice in medicines administration.
As a result of the improvement work there was a reduction (over 40%) in when required psychoactive medicines were used and inappropriate regular psychoactive medicines were prescribed.
“The feisty wee woman I knew is back- every time we used to visit; she was sleeping. That is no longer the case she is now running this unit”. Relative 2023
“Mum passed away peacefully not on any sedative medication. She was able to hold a conversation with us and share memories. I will never be able to thank the staff enough for never giving up and giving my mum a nice death” Relative 2023
One of the many successful case studies from the project featured in the recently published delivery plan for the Scottish Government’s new Dementia Strategy.
Case study one: A woman was struggling to accept twice daily personal care. Desensitising the resident to the bathroom and gender of care staff had limited effect. Consistency of staff giving personal care had some effect. However, height of care staff was a key trigger factor for this person. Knowing this staff achieved around 10-12 personal care sessions per week, compared to a baseline level of two per week. Along with improved personal care, a successful reduction (over 50%) of antipsychotic (Quetiapine) medication is now in place. This person gained 2.25 kg, with staff reporting she now sits and enjoys meals in the dining room, something she wouldn’t do before.
Cohort two of the project started, with seven care homes participating.
The above information is from improvement update newsletter from the Care Inspectorate Mon 13/05/2024
Find out more about our work at: www.careinspectorate.com