TIP OF THE WEEK
How to start a Touch Program
BACKGROUND
A Touch Program was initiated at Seton Medical Center Coastside, a rural California hospital with a skilled nursing facility and long-term care. The idea was developed through a literature review, which showed that touch rendered in a compassionate manner has a positive behavioral and health effect on the elderly, just as it has been shown to effect newborns and premature babies in the nursery.
GETTING STARTED
- Form a collaborative performance improvement team that includes rehabilitation services, activities therapies, and volunteer services.
- Activity therapist: Identify potential residents.
- Physical therapists: Orient the “touch” volunteers
- Volunteers: Implement the Touch Program. (Reiki practitioners, like the volunteers at Seton Medical Center Coastside, are ideal.)
- Establish criteria for referral. (i.e., residents showing signs of anxiety, agitation, pain, isolation, or sensory deprivation)
- Identify 10 residents to begin the program.
GETTING IN TOUCH
- Volunteers should see each client of the program 2-3 times a week for 15 minutes.
- Contact could consist of a gentle massage of the shoulders but could also include visiting and listening to the resident.
- The Touch Program was introduced at Seton Medical Center Coastside to the nursing staff at general staff meeting and to the medical staff during their administrative meetings. The program was greeted with enthusiasm and additional referrals were received.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
This patient record contains space to document vital signs and other measures over a seven-day period. Measures include intake, output, weight, level of pain, and whether pain relief was achieved. When measures are recorded, it presents a graphic view over a full week on a single page. (1 page)
IN THE NEWS
DIABETES CARE ACCOUNTS FOR ONE OF EVERY EIGHT HEALTH CARE DOLLARS IN 2005, STUDY FINDS
June 22, 2007 - - Kaiser Network - - About one of every eight federal health care dollars in fiscal year 2005, or nearly $80 billion, was spent treating people with diabetes, according to a study by the National Changing Diabetes Program and the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, CQ HealthBeat reports. The study, which was the first comprehensive review of all federal diabetes spending, found that improved coordination between government agencies that contribute to federal diabetes funding is needed to more effectively prevent and treat the disease and its complications. Read more >>
ROLE REVERSAL: YOUR AGING PARENTS AND YOU
June 22, 2007 - - ABC News - - A recent national public opinion poll by USA TODAY, ABC News and the Gallup Organization finds that four in 10 baby boomers with a living parent currently provide them with personal or financial assistance. Among those who expect to be called on to provide assistance in the future, 72 percent are concerned about their ability to handle it. Most boomers think the options for quality elder care are good, but cost is a major worry. Read more >>
DECLINE IN MORTALITY BYPASSES WOMEN WITH DIABETES
June 19, 2007 - - Physician’s First Watch - - Women with diabetes have been "left behind" in the decades-long declines in overall and cardiovascular mortality, according to an update of NHANES data released online by Annals of Internal Medicine. Read more >>
STOLEN OHIO MEDICAID PROVIDER EFT FILES
June 15, 2007 - - ODJFS - - Ohio has been made aware that information on a data storage device reported stolen on June 15, 2007 included Medicaid Provider EFT files. These files contain provider names, tax ID numbers, addresses and bank account information. The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) believes that it is highly unlikely that the information contained in the stolen device has been accessed because specialized knowledge and equipment are required to extract it. ODJFS provided answers to frequently asked questions. Read more >>
OHIO KEPRO EVENTS
THE GOOD APPLES: TIPS FOR ATTRACTING AND RETAINING THE RIGHT EMPLOYEES
In this half-day workshop, we will delve into key strategies for improving workforce retention in the nursing home, including:
- The impact of turnover and absenteeism on an organization and what you can do about it.
- Strategies to improve the hiring and orientation process.
- Motivating employees and improving staff satisfaction.
- Setting goals and measure improvement in workforce retention.
Who should attend: Directors of Operations, Directors of Nursing, Nursing Home Administrators, Staff Development, and Human Resources.
7/11 – Cincinnati | 7/26 – Oberlin | |
7/12 – Springfield | 7/31 – Lyndhurst | |
7/17 – Cambridge | 8/7 – Boardman | |
7/19 – Sylvania | 8/15 – Columbus | |
7/24 – Wooster | 8/21 – Wellston |
Download the flyer
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Healthcare Personnel -- What Immunizations are Advised? (NCIRD Net Conference)
July 12, 2007, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Navigating the MDS Through the Ohio Medicaid Reimbursement System
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
August 23, 2007
Call Cheryl Robertson at (614) 466-9088 for more information.
Medicare Learning Network:
Learning resources and products for the healthcare professional.
Alzheimer’s Association Training Events
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses
Ohio Department of Health, Technical Assistance Program – New Programs
Ohio Health Care Association Events
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