| RD News |
Culture Change ----
Training for Change is Coming to You  What does Culture Change mean to our nursing facility clients? It is the transformation of the facility from an institutional model to a home-like atmosphere that is centered around the persons who live there and work there. Decisions about how and when care is delivered are pushed to the front lines. Resident's preferences are honored above the systems and assembly line approach. Staff closest to the resident are empowered to make decisions about the resident's care. So what does Culture Change have to do with nutrition? Just about everything! Dining and food choice is one of the most visible areas where residents can continue to express their preferences. Small investments and minor changes are quite visible and their impact on the resident's quality of life is greatly valued. Last year HMC was involved in the "Dining Pilot Project" sponsored by the CA Culture Change Coalition (CCCC.) Twelve facilities from all over CA participated in pilots such as Buffet Dining, Resident Snack Centers and Restaurant Style Dining. The how-to manual from these pilot projects is FREE and posted on the CCCC website HMC has also been given permission to duplicate these materials on a disk to distribute to dietitians and facilities. Email the HMC office if you want one for yourself or a facility.
Other Culture Change projects which are happening all over the nation include concepts such as consistent assignments for direct care givers, eliminating overhead paging, storing medications in the resident's room rather than using med carts, turning shower rooms into a spa, eliminating nursing stations and many, many more. The imagination is the limit. Some of these approaches are actually saving money, too. CMS has also added several aspects of Culture Change into the F-Tag regulations --- facilities are expected to begin this transformation.
To help foster more facilities adopting the changes that transform the nursing facility, the CCCC sponsors "Collaboratives" that join staff from nearby facilities to meet together throughout a year for education, support and discussion to implement Culture Change practices. New collaborations start in September. Is someone in your facility talking about Culture Change? Can you be an agent for starting the Culture Change movement? Please share this brochure with anyone who is interested in your facilities. And, be prepared to offer your professional dietitian support and expertise for Culture Change. |
| The Administrator's Perspective: |
|
Dear Health Care Providers,
I just attended the Pioneer Network Culture Change Conference in Little Rock. There were almost 1000 people from various disciplines in LTC who came from all over the nation to hear culture change advocates share their best practices. One of the most vocal and the most eloquent was Karen Schoenenman, Deputy Director, CMS Nursing Home Division. The take away message from the conference was loud and clear. Nursing homes must begin to make strides to change an institutional setting into a homelike community living center. Surveyors across the nation are being trained to look for evidence that nursing homes are adopting resident centered care in a homelike environment. Ms Schoenenman gave many examples of what a care center can start doing on the journey to culture change. Those tips as well as other valuable information obtained from the conference will be shared at the upcoming Culture Change Collaboratives, beginning September 16th.
BUT you need to sign up! It's not to late. Please find the brochure an application form attached. Do not let the application fee deter you. Keep in mind, it is recommended that you invite at least six people from your organization to each conference. Monthly meetings for the next year come out to less than $14 per person per month. NHAP-P, BRN and CNA credits will be available at each meeting.
Ed Long
|
| Dear Dietitians; |
I am privileged to serve on the Executive Board of the CA Culture Change Coalition for the past three years. After a few decades working in nursing facilities, I accepted that it would always be the same. I am delighted to see all the changes happening that are truly transforming the nursing facilities --- we are making a difference! While these transformations are important to the resident, it has also been amazing to see how the work life and job satisfaction for front line workers such as CNAs and dietary staff have increased. I encourage you to jump on the band wagon for Culture Change and be a champion. Please tell us your story of how or what Culture Changes are happening where you serve as dietitian. Thanks for all your work for HMC and have a good week. Lee
Lee Tincher, MS, RD
President
HM Composite, Inc. |
Registered Dietitian Newsletter
