RNAO Best Practice Guidelines Links

Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) is proud to be the first developmental services congregate care setting, nationally and internationally, to collaborate with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) to become a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). Beginning in 2021, a 3-year pre-designation partnership with RNAO was established to support enhancing the culture of evidence-based practice at CWSDS in the pursuit of learning and leading, using innovative ways to provide quality services to the people we support. As a BPSO Pre-Designate, CWSDS is committed to the adoption of Best Practice Guidelines to promote evidence-based practice while enriching the professional knowledge of our nurses, clinicians and other supporting professionals.

“Grounded in our organizational values of collaboration, adaptability, inclusion, respect, accountability and innovation, CWSDS’ multi-disciplinary teams exemplify clinical excellence each day through their dedication to the people we support and passion for safe, compassionate, evidence-based care”, said Patricia Kyle, CEO.

About the BPSO Program

Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) is the designation awarded by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) upon successful implementation, evaluation and knowledge translation of established nursing Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) and other scholarly activities. The association created its BPG program to provide nurses and health care teams with the most up-to-date, comprehensive, best evidence-based patient-care and healthy work environment recommendations. RNAO BPGs are recognized provincially, nationally and internationally. Each organization selects guidelines they feel will have the greatest impact on the health and well-being of the people they support.

“We are thrilled to have CWSDS join our more than 1,000 BPSOs at home and abroad,” says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, founder and visionary of the program. “We are approaching our 20th anniversary of this program, and with committed organizations like CWSDS, evidence-based practice – and RNAO BPGs – has become a global gold standard. Kudos to CWSDS for their inspiring leadership. The biggest winners of our collective effort are the communities we serve.”

Best Practice Guidelines Identified for Implementation at CWSDS

Utilizing a biopsychosocial approach, the CWSDS team identified five BPGs which pertain to the needs of the people we support. The BPGs include Care Transitions, Person- and Family-Centred Care, Preventing Falls and Reducing Injury from Falls, and two BPGs related to supporting adults who require assistance with daily health routines.

“CWSDS and RNAO’s collaboration aims to advance specialized clinical services and collectively optimize health outcomes within our organization. This allows all to be the best that they can be,” says Susan Quinn-Mullins, CWSDS Board Member “Our shared focus is to improve the quality of life of the people we support through a comprehensive plan of care and to promote continuity of care within and across all community sectors.”

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Our Values…
Accountability
Adaptability
Collaboration
Inclusion
Innovation
Respect

Person and Family Centered Care

Person- and Family-Centred Care | RNAO.ca

This guideline is designed to promote the evidence-based practices associated with person – and family-centred care and to help nurses, clinicians and other care providers gain the knowledge and skills to ensure a person-centered care approach within their daily routine practices. For optimal effectiveness, the guideline provides recommendations for the direct care of persons in health-system setting, education for supporting professionals, and organizational and policy recommendations.

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive plan of care utilizing the person and family centered care approach and additionally, enhance the therapeutic relationship between supporting professionals and families’/caregivers.

Preventing Falls and Reducing Injury from Falls

Preventing Falls and Reducing Injury from Falls | RNAO.ca

This guideline focuses on the prevention of falls and falls injuries in all adults at risk of falls and receiving care from nurses and other care providers across the health – care continuum including those living in the community. The recommendations aim to outline an evidence- based approach for preventing falls and reducing injury along with risks and benefits for the person that should be considered when implementing interventions to prevent falls and minimize injuries.

In collaboration with members of our multi-disciplinary team, we will develop effective ways to conduct screening, complete comprehensive assessments, and monitor and implement interventions to prevent falls and injuries related to falls.

Proactive Approach for Bladder and Bowel Management in Adults

A Proactive Approach to Bladder and Bowel Management in Adults | RNAO.ca

This guideline focuses on bladder and bowel management in adults through evidence-based recommendations for effective strategies to support adults with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and/or constipation that will improve quality of life and lead to positive health outcomes. The recommendations provided are primarily intended for health care professionals across the continuum of care (i.e.: community and primary care) and various domains of practice (i.e.: clinical, education, policy).

Our goal will be to assess, identify and develop tools and resources to promote, educate, and facilitate practice change aimed to increase hydration, reduce constipation and promote good bowel health, specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as these concerns often contribute to gastrointestinal complications and complex behavioural issues.

Care Transitions

Care Transitions | RNAO.ca

The guideline is focused on ensuring continuity of care and ensuring the rights of persons supported is understood and respected while understanding that transitions can occur within organizations (internal) or between them (external). To further promote safe and effective care, this guideline provides recommendations to ensure a coordinated and standardized systematic process to transition, with a focus on communication and flow of information. This guideline is intended for the purpose of all supporting professionals to focus on evidence-based strategies to facilitate safe and effective care transitions while acknowledging the unique needs of persons and applicable resources in the delivery of care.

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive transitional plan of care to ensure that during transition of care, seamless transition, effective communication and continuity of care occurs.

Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance

Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance | RNAO.ca

The purpose of this guideline is to provide nurses, clinicians and other supporting professionals with evidence-based recommendations for the provision of oral care for adults who require assistance. The recommendations promote a multi-disciplinary approach to providing oral care and interventions to enhance the delivery of oral care which ultimately leads to positive oral health outcomes for persons supported.

Our goal is to assess, identify and promote excellence in oral health care and hygiene as well as develop educational tools and resources for all direct support professionals and other disciplines supporting adults who require assistance with oral healthcare.