Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors

In February 2016, the Commissioner of Public Health announced a series of initiatives aimed at fostering quality care delivery in skilled nursing facilities across Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recognized an opportunity to improve care delivery by strengthening resident and family councils and enhancing resident and family engagement. With funding from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), DPH selected the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors (the Coalition) to assist with this important work.

The Coalition launched the Strengthening Resident and Family Council and Engagement Initiative (Initiative) in 2017 with the goal of improving the quality of life and person-centered care for residents. Forty-five Massachusetts long-term care facilities participated in the Initiative. Participants were encouraged to form multi-disciplinary facility teams including one or more residents and family members.

The Coalition held two in-person workshops and hosted several webinars. The core project team (Coalition and consultants) gathered information through surveys, coaching conversations, and site visits to develop and refine a set of participatory activities and webinars that would enhance resident and family engagement through initiative participation and beyond. Monthly conference calls offered teams the opportunity to learn from each other and share strategies, as well as receive additional coaching from the project team.

Resources

Webinars

For Residents, Family Members and Staff

Person-Centered Care in Nursing Homes
Presenter: Lori Todd, RN, LNHA, Executive Director, Loomis House

For Staff

Maximizing Resident Engagement Part I-Appreciation
Presenter: Kate Waldo, CTRS, ACC, National Director of Recreation and Guest Services, Genesis HealthCare

Maximizing Resident Engagement Part II-Accommodation and Adaptation
Presenter: Kate Waldo, CTRS, ACC, National Director of Recreation and Guest Services, Genesis HealthCare

Story Sharing: Working Toward Relationship Based Care
Presenter: Diane Heliker RN PhD, Professor of Nursing at St. Xavier University in Chicago

Tools to Engage Adults to Receive Care Based on their Values and Choices — added December 2018
Presenter: Ellen DiPaola, Esq., President and CEO, Honoring Choices Massachusetts

Primarily For Residents and Family Members, May Also Have Value for Staff

Resident Rights
Presenter: Lori Smetanka, JD, Executive Director, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

Problem-Solving in Long-Term Care: Tips for Effective Grievance and Complaint Resolution
Presenter: Marci Cooley, LSW, Former Local Ombudsman Program Director

Tools to Help You (or Your Loved One) Get Care Based on Your Values and Choices — added December 2018
Presenter: Ellen DiPaola, Esq., President and CEO, Honoring Choices Massachusetts

Project Team

Paula Griswold, MS, Executive Director, MA Coalition
Amelia DeFelice, MS, Program Manager, MA Coalition
Susanne Salem-Schatz, ScD
Maureen Connor RN, MPH
Sharon Benjamin-Bothwell, PhD
Helen Magliozzi, RN, Massachusetts Senior Care Association
Carolyn Blanks, Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation

Initiatives: