Jacaranda Village - Innovation in Health Care Industries

Name of Organization / Company: Jacaranda Village, Red Cliffs, VIC Australia
Category: Award for Excellence in Innovation in Health Care Industries - Up to 100 Employees

Entry Title: Oral Health for Aged Care

Essay

The skills mix of the organisation was reviewed and by employing a method of “less management more clinicians” the top heavy management level has now been re-structured and there are more ground staff enabling us to provide exceptional care.

The changes in leader ship and administration have resulted in happier staff, more ground staff and input that has been of great benefit to our residents. With 78% of staff suggesting they love their job and working for the organisation.

We hold regular “Millennium Meetings” that allow younger staff the opportunity for input into projects and ideas for new projects into the organisation and “Baby Boomer Meetings” that allow our older staff to have input. As a result we have implemented numerous new initiatives for our residents and staff alike which are inclusive of:

• Our staff embarked on an 8 week health weight challenge with 25 participants. It was a fabulous results with many staff losing weight (total of 103kg)and being educated on exercise and healthy eating. This program was developed and implemented by our Physiotherapist and Dietitian and even after the program has now finished a group of 8 staff members are continuing with the program.
• Our staff commenced a study involving local grape juice and the effects it has on the bowel system.
• We had 4 nursing staff be involved in the oral hygiene project. This has been successful and as a result an Oral Hygiene Assessment Tool as well as demonstrative video clips by Jacaranda Village staff have been put together. This program has been nominated by one of our residents families for an Australia day award as our residents were involved in the project.

We reviewed our meals and meal service and had consultant Bernadette Eriksen from Flavour Creations assist us with this. Our team has been recognised for an Award within the Souped Up national awards this November for their excellence in meal service with no tray service in place as well as their moulding of pureed meals and 24 hour dining menu which is inclusive of wine and beer with meals.

Most importantly, we have developed a product to assist with dry mouth and have completed clinical research on our grounds. Considering the issues that are faced in the health setting regardg oral care our organisation thought it is time to do something about this. As a result a team of health professionals inclusive of Speech Pathologist, nursing and catering staff have developed an oral health tool. This tool is an easy to use tool that has a step by step system for nursing staff to use with older residents. It assess residents in the area of dentition, natural teeth, condition of oral mucosa, any issues relating to dry mouth, bacteria, angular cheilitis and swallowing issues.

Whenissues are pickedup straight forward recommendations are made as well as recommendations for referrals therefore ensuring appropriate health outcomes. We have also added videos on You Tube to substitue the assessment tool and for nursing staff to be able to follow the health tool easier. Furthermore we have published a journal article which has bee peer reviewed as well as a book through Scholars publishing ensuring that we share the excellence in this area.

Our residents are now assessed on entry to the organisation and reviewed every six months to ensure that we are not missing any issues relating to oral hygiene. The oral hygiene of our residents has increased by 200% with 67% more referrals being made to the dentist and general practitioner for oral health related issues. Our program is a success and we would love to share it with the rest of the world. Please help us increase awareness to other organisations by voting for our project.

LINKS:

URL 1: https://otr.anmfvic.asn.au/articles/nurses-create-tool-to-improve-oral-health-in-aged-care
URL 2: www.jacarandavillage.org.au
URL 3: https://youtu.be/LwtVr_49Nnw
URL 4: https://youtu.be/SVMSZMt5nbg
URL 5: https://youtu.be/-XgCFRv3zFo
URL 6: https://youtu.be/DM0NfzvopC4
URL 7: https://youtu.be/O1uv7_4W7YM
URL 8: https://youtu.be/w0OZJysF6KE