Do internal medicine residents know enough about skilled nursing facilities to orchestrate a good care transition?

Background: Although many older adults require skilled nursing facility (SNF) care after acute hospitalization, it is unclear whether internal medicine residents have sufficient knowledge of the care that can be provided at this site.

Methods: We developed a 10-item multiple choice pre-test that assessed knowledge of the definition of a SNF, SNF staffing requirements, and SNF services provided on-site. The test was administered to trainees on the first day of a mandatory SNF rotation that occurred during their first, second or third year of training.

Addressing delays in medication administration for patients transferred from the hospital to the nursing home: a pilot quality improvement project.

Background: Patients being transferred to a nursing home (NH) after an acute hospitalization are subject to adverse effects, including medication errors, related to poor coordination of care across settings.

Objective: The goal of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of a pilot intervention to improve patient safety by reducing delays in administration and omission of medications among patients discharged from the hospital to the NH.

Methods: An expedited discharge protocol was developed in collaboration with hospital physician residents, hospital discharge planners, and NH staff (administrators, directors of nursing services, and licensed nurses).