Publications by authors named "Alexandria M Lewis"
Background: There is a need to adopt evidence-based approaches to discharge planning in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) short stay population.
Purpose: This article describes implementation of the Reengineered Discharge (RED) process in SNFs and makes recommendations for its future implementation.
Methods: The methods included a pre- and postanalysis of an 18-month RED implementation with a contemporaneous comparison of 4 Midwestern SNFs randomly assigned to 2 different RED implementation strategies.
Article Synopsis
- The article recommends adapting hospital-based RED (Reengineered Discharge) processes for use in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to enhance patient discharge outcomes.
- Key adaptations include engaging family/caregivers early in the discharge plan, ensuring quick reconnection to primary care providers, and educating patients about their health conditions and medications upon discharge.
- Limitations such as reduced staff capacity and corporate policies hinder some RED components' implementation, but adapting these transitional care processes can help prevent discharge issues in SNFs.
Background: In the United States, hospice agencies are required to convene interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings no less frequently than every 15 days to review patients' care plans. Challenges associated with information sharing during these meetings can impede efficiency and frustrate attendees.
Objectives: We sought to examine information sharing in the context of hospice IDG meetings as a first step toward developing an informatics tool to support interdisciplinary collaboration in this setting.
Background: Researchers have identified important gender differences in the experience of caring for a family member or friend living with advanced disease; however, trends suggest that these differences may be diminishing over time in response to changing gender roles. In addition, while many studies have found caregiving experiences and outcomes to be poorer among female caregivers, noteworthy exceptions exist.
Objective: The primary aim of this exploratory study was to determine how, if at all, current day caregiving at end of life varies by gender.