The second stage of the Improving Care for Older People (ICOP) program operated in Victoria from 2010 to 2013. Across Victoria, 35 public health services participated in the initiative, including all metropolitan health services. As part of the program, they were required to undertake initiatives to minimise the risk of functional decline in older patients and improve the provision of care in four areas:
- Evidence-based environmental improvements
- Organisation-wide policy development that provides a framework for improving care for older people across the organisation
- Embedding the evidence base contained within The Toolkit to inform models of care to minimise functional decline for older people, with a focus on acute settings
- Professional development activities to support workforce capacity building to better respond to the needs of older people in hospital settings
Outlined is a snapshot of the types of initiatives taken by health services relating to functional decline.
Health Service | Requirement Addressed and Project Summary |
Albury Wodonga Health | Policy Development - Minimising functional decline policy still in development Models of Care - Functional Maintenance Program implemented in acute wards at Wodonga – to be rolled out to Albury Campus; bed based exercise program via patient television operating in Albury – will roll out to Wodonga |
Alfred Health | Policy Development - An overarching minimising functional decline policy known as Better Care for Older People was developed. Additionally, minimising functional decline guidelines were ratified in April 2013 Models of Care - Key elements of functional decline have been incorporated into the Point of Care Audit; this information will be used to inform future improvement efforts. Brochures promoting best practice against prevention of functional decline have been developed with consumer feedback incorporated into the final version Professional Development - Production of AV material to support implementation and education regarding the domains of the Toolkit and preventing functional decline |
Austin Health | Policy Development - Functional Maintenance guideline and policy 2013 (awaiting final approval) |
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service | Policy Development - Functional maintenance policy completed |
Barwon Health | Professional Development - Online training tool on functional decline and ICOP principles in use throughout organisation – delivered through clinical software; developed a DVD for older patients called Maximising your health in hospital. |
Bass Coast Regional Health | Policy Development - Ongoing work on organisation wide Preventing Functional Decline policy |
Benalla Health | Policy Development - Minimising functional decline policy developed – waiting approval and implementation Models of Care - Information booklet for patients and carers at bedside on how to minimise functional decline Professional Development - Functional Independence Measure training completed by several staff; developed an e-learning quiz for clinical staff. |
Bendigo Health | Policy Development - Prevention of Functional Decline in Older Hospitalised Patients policy developed and adopted |
Castlemaine Health | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline Policy introduced |
Colac Area Health | Policy Development - Functional Decline Policy for Older Persons endorsed across organisation |
Echuca Regional Health | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline Policy drafted |
Latrobe Regional Hospital | Policy Development - Functional maintenance/decline policy developed and under review Models of Care - Functional Maintenance Program (FMP) in medical and surgical wards utilising toolkit domains and symbols. Evaluated and shown to be successful. Establishment of ongoing Allied Health Assistant (AHA) position for FMP |
Maryborough District Health Service | Policy Development - ICOP principles embedded in Minimising Functional Decline Policy |
Melbourne Health | Policy Development - Care Planning and Implementation Policy amended to incorporate statement to support minimising functional decline; developed multiple online learning packages including best care for older people, falls prevention, pressure injuries, medication management and safe swallowing. |
Northeast Health Wangaratta | Policy Development - Overarching Functional Decline Policy – in progress. To include hyperlinks to the toolkit domains |
Northern Health | Policy Development - Input into development of functional decline policy by state-wide Best Care for Older People (BCOP) group |
Peninsula Health | Policy Development - Organisation wide policy on ‘minimising functional decline’ ratified Models of Care - Enhanced existing functional maintenance programs and introduced falls identifier |
Portland District Health | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline in Hospitalised Older Patients Policy developed and implemented – includes dementia, delirium and depression Models of Care - Clinical champion for preventing functional decline with focus on person centred care and assessment – role in educating staff on these domains Professional Development - Education sessions run by clinical champion for preventing functional decline – falls risk assessment, functional assessment, nursing care plan, nursing admission/discharge, pressure sore risk assessment and patient handling assessment |
Seymour Health | Policy Development - Person Centred Care Policy and Minimising Functional Decline in Hospital Policy – developed, not yet approved or implemented Professional Development - Graduate program orientation includes functional decline and person centred care session |
South West Healthcare | Policy Development - Development and implementation of IC4OP Preventing Functional Decline in Hospitalised Older People policy |
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne | Policy Development - ‘Prevention of Functional Decline Policy’ implemented organisation wide at CEO forum in February 2013. Introduction of internal tracking system so that all internal policy considers the needs of Improving Care for Older People (ICOP) and prevention of functional decline |
Stawell Regional Health | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline policy developed and implemented |
Swan Hill District Health | Policy Development - Minimising Functional Decline Policy implemented |
Werribee Mercy | Policy Development - ‘Preventing Functional Decline in Hospitalised Older People’ endorsed |
West Gippsland Healthcare Group | Models of Care - Functional maintenance program utilising AHAs ongoing |
Western District Health Service | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline policy implemented and staff educated |
Western Health | Policy Development - Organisation wide ‘Preventing Functional Decline in Older Hospitalised Patients’ policy to be implemented by September 2013. Professional Development - Held the ‘Great Debate’ in May 2013 to highlight that minimising functional decline and practicing Person Centred Care is everybody’s role. |
Wimmera Health Care Group | Policy Development - Preventing Functional Decline Policy in operation |
Reviewed 05 October 2015