Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

A Mixed Methods Study to Implement the Synergy Tool and Evaluate its Impact on Long-Term Care Residents

Farinaz Havaei
* ORCID logo ,
Francis Kobekyaa
,
Andy Ma
,
Maura MacPhee
ORCID logo ,
Wei Zhang
,
Megan Kaulius
,
Bahar Ahmadi
,
Sheila Boamah
ORCID logo ,
Adam Easterbrook
,
Amy Salmon
Version 1 : Received: 29 June 2023 / Approved: 4 July 2023 / Online: 4 July 2023 (12:13:49 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Havaei, F.; Kobekyaa, F.; Ma, A.; MacPhee, M.; Zhang, W.; Kaulius, M.; Ahmadi, B.; Boamah, S.; Easterbrook, A.; Salmon, A. A Mixed Methods Study to Implement the Synergy Tool and Evaluate Its Impact on Long-Term Care Residents. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2187. Havaei, F.; Kobekyaa, F.; Ma, A.; MacPhee, M.; Zhang, W.; Kaulius, M.; Ahmadi, B.; Boamah, S.; Easterbrook, A.; Salmon, A. A Mixed Methods Study to Implement the Synergy Tool and Evaluate Its Impact on Long-Term Care Residents. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2187.

Abstract

Background: There are ongoing workforce challenges with the delivery of long-term care (LTC), such as staffing decisions based on arbitrary standards. The Synergy tool, a resident-centered approach to staffing, pro-vides objective, real-time acuity and dependency scores (Synergy scores) for residents. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the impact of the Synergy tool on LTC delivery. Methods: A longitudinal mixed methods study took place within two publicly-funded LTC homes in British Columbia, Canada. Quantitative data included weekly Synergy scores for residents (24 weeks), monthly aggregated resident falls data (18 months) and a six-month economic evaluation. Qualitative data were gathered from family caregivers and thematically analyzed. Results: Quantitative findings from Synergy scores revealed considerable variability for resident acuity/dependency needs within and across units; and falls decreased during implementation. The six-month economic evaluation demonstrated some cost savings by comparing Synergy tool training and implementation costs with savings from resident fall rates reductions. Qualitative analyses yielded three positive impacts themes (improved care delivery, better communication, and improved resident-family-staff relationships), and two negative structural themes (language barrier and staff shortages). Conclusions: The Synergy tool provides useful data for enhancing a ‘fit’ between resident needs and available staff.

Keywords

long-term care; workplace management; Synergy Model

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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