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In summer 2022, an opportunity arose for NSM SGS to advocate for funding to put a program in place to reduce the impact of responsive behaviour on Alternate Level of Care (ALC) days in our acute care hospitals. In fall 2022, the NSM SGS program received regional funding to establish Behaviour Success Agents (BSAs) in each NSM acute care hospital site.
We collaborated with partner NSM hospitals to implement BSAs effective January2023. The purpose of the BSA program was to:
At present, a review of 2023-24 year-end outcomes is underway. Early results are showing a reduction in the frequency of the primary behaviour as well as a reduction in the use of physical and chemical restraints in the patients referred. Symptoms of delirium were identified in patients where no diagnosis existed (and we know delirium is considered a geriatric emergency!). We saw capacity building occur as the BSAs educated colleagues and promoted a more standardized approach to practice across NSM hospital sites. We also saw this team of new BSAs grow in their knowledge, skills and confidence.
The success of the program was noted by Central Ontario Health and Ontario Health, with the latter using the BSA program as an example of the impact of ALC funding initiatives. The BSA program is also the topic of the CIHR Implementation Science Grant awarded to our own Dr. Katie Bingham. A key factor in the success of the BSA program is NSM SGS' relationships with our acute care hospital partners – we couldn’t have done it without them! We are always better when we work together.
The BSAs were a one-time funded project. Funding ended March 31, 2024. At this time, NSM Specialized Geriatric Services is continuing to use our own funds to support the program in area hospitals while we wait confirmation of continued funding from Central OH. Given the success to date, we are hopeful this project will continue to be funded into the future.
