Quality of residential care for older people: does education for healthcare assistants make a difference?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of a healthcare assistant education programme on the quality of care for older people living in a residential home in Auckland, New Zealand.


METHODS
A pre- and post-intervention evaluation study was undertaken within a residential home for older people. Quality of care was established by two periods of non-participant time-sampling observation of residents, separated by a programme of 10 interactive teaching sessions for healthcare assistants. Informed consent was gained from all observed residents and staff.


RESULTS
Using the Quality Assessment Project (QAP) quality measure, the non-participant time-sampling observation data identified a 12.5% increase in resident care that was considered appropriate and adequate (chi-squared=12.05) and an 11.53% decrease in resident care that was considered inappropriate and inadequate (chi-squared=11.43). The intermediate grades did not alter significantly. Residents with low functional activity scores (Barthel Index) received better care after the education intervention (chi-squared=32.99), as did residents with moderate cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test Score [AMTS]<8/10).


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare assistant education can positively impact on the quality of care given to older people in residential care.
Smith
Barbara
B
School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Kerse
Ngaire
N
Parsons
Matthew
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D003071:Cognition; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D000078329:Workforce