Table 1 A priori categories for structure, process and outcome elements of the Aged Care Rapid Response Team
Category | Definition |
|---|---|
STRUCTURES | |
Resident health needs | The necessity of ED transfer and/or hospital admission when an RACF resident becomes unwell |
Comorbidity | The presence of two or more co-occurring medical conditions |
Functional decline | The loss of physical and/or cognitive abilities |
End of life | RACF residents at the end stage of life |
Family needs | Needs and expectations of the family of an unwell RACF resident |
Health professional | ARRT team roles (Geriatrician, Clinical Nurse Consultants, Aged Care Registrar) |
Experience | Experience required by ARRT staff to perform their role |
Knowledge | Knowledge required by ARRT staff to perform their role |
Skills | Skills required by ARRT staff to perform their role |
Organisation | Physical and organisational factors required to deliver ARRT |
Setting | Program description and characteristics |
Resources | Resources required by ARRT to operate. Includes access to technology. |
Workload | Amount/difficulty of work assigned to ARRT staff |
Barriers | Challenges in delivering ARRT |
Enablers | Facilitators for delivering ARRT |
Residential Aged Care Facility | RACF staff roles |
Training | Training required by RACF staff roles to perform their role |
Knowledge | Knowledge required by RACF staff to perform their role |
Skills | Skills required by RACF staff to perform their role |
PROCESSES | |
Proactive Care | A person-centred, preventative approach to the care of unwell RACF residents |
Access to skilled care providers | Rapid access to appropriate decision making and care. Includes capacity to access additional expertise e.g. nurse practitioners, allied health practitioners, pharmacists, geriatricians, palliative care specialists, medicolegal and referrals for specialist services |
Coordinated care | Delivering care that is integrated between multiple providers and services |
CGA | An assessment of medical, social, and functional needs, and the development of a coordinated care |
Advance Care Planning | Resident’s preferences for future care |
Capability building of RACF staff | Improving care through sharing knowledge and skills with RACF staff |
Risk stratification | Identification of RACF residents who are at risk of hospitalisation and likely to benefit from ARRT intervention |
Partnerships | Hospitals, RACFs, ambulance services and GPs working together to achieve shared goals |
Communication | Exchange of information regarding the care of RACF residents |
Interpersonal communication | Sharing of information between health professionals, RACF residents and the families via personal interactions |
Information transfer | The handover of resident health data from one care provider to another |
OUTCOMES | |
Resident health | Effect of ARRT on health of unwell RACF residents |
Resident managed in RACF | Factors involved in RACF-based management of unwell RACF resident |
Resident transferred to ED | Factors involved in ED transfer of unwell RACF residents |
Resident admitted to hospital | Factors involved in hospital admission of unwell RACF residents |
Adverse events | Adverse events associated with ED transfer/hospital admission of unwell RACF residents |
Health system utilisation | Effect of ARRT on the use of hospital services by unwell RACF residents |
Health professional | Effect of ARRT on health professionals involved in the care of unwell RACF residents |
ADAPTABILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS | ARRT’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances e.g. pandemics/disasters |
COVID-19 | All COVID-19 information |