Do the Right Thing: Rapid Evaluation Teams
On February 25, 2020 by Julie Apold
Safe Care for Seniors has released a new training video that will help staff know the right thing to do when they find a resident unresponsive or respond to urgent or unexpected situations. The 10-minute Rapid Evaluation Team video demonstrates a real-life scenario, provides an implementation action plan, and showcases the positive outcomes Carris Health Care Center & Therapy Suites in Willmar is experiencing as a result of this process.
Some of most common reports received by the Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) are related to change in resident condition. Safe Care for Seniors is committed to reducing this area of concern through Rapid Evaluation Teams (RETs), which helps an organization improve how staff call for and receive support to rapidly evaluate and address a change in a resident’s condition before it becomes an emergency.
“Knowing what to do in any situation is crucial to the care that we deliver,” said Amanda Thorson, Director of Nursing, Carris Heath Care Center & Therapy Suites, Willmar. “RETs really change the culture of a setting so that everyone knows they can make a difference. They help everybody work together as a team, feel more confident in their response and know there are resources readily available to support them.”
“As a nurse. you are more confident that you are able to focus and do everything you can for that patient in that time. RETs helps everyone feel they are involved in a patient’s care and that they are making a difference in that person’s life,” said Letty Morales Sanchez, Registered Nurse, Carris Health Care Center & Therapy Suites.
A RET Roadmap can be used in conjunction with the training video to help you and your team evaluate and adapt your current response process to make it more systematic and effective. Access the video and RET Roadmap at the Safe Care for Seniors Education & Training webpage.
Contact Julie Apold at japold@leadingagemn.org if you have questions or need support.