Improving care in long-term facilities to reduce hospital transfers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The INTERSCALE project aims to implement the INTERCARE model, a nurse-led care approach designed to reduce unplanned hospitalizations in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Switzerland. This model emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and the role of trained nurses to enhance decision-making and care planning for residents. The study will assess the effectiveness and scalability of this model across various LTCFs, focusing on sustainable implementation strategies. By evaluating the core components of the INTERCARE model, the research seeks to provide a cost-effective solution for improving resident outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Study inclusion/exclusion criteria are based on level of participant:

1. LTCF

   Inclusion criteria:

   - Located within German-speaking part of Switzerland

   - ≥ 20 long-term care beds on the cantonal list of LTCFs (or a cooperation of smaller LTCFs with a total of at least 20 long-term care beds, working with the same INTERCARE nurse(s))

   - Willingness to introduce the core components of INTERCARE (formal commitment)

   - Willingness to provide routine resident assessment data (Resident Assessment Instrument-nursing home version (RAI-NH) or BESA system)

   Exclusion criteria:

   - LTCFs located in the Italian- or French-speaking part of Switzerland.

   - LTCFs who have previously worked with a nurse-led model similar to the INTERCARE/INTERSCALE research intervention
2. INTERCARE nurse

   Inclusion criteria:

   - Working contract or affiliation with the LTCF

   - Educational background as an RN with ≥ 3 years' experience working with older persons

   - Assigned role of INTERCARE nurse

   Exclusion criteria:

   - No contract with the LTCF
3. Other care staff

   Inclusion criteria:
   * All care staff who work directly with residents (e.g., care workers, physiotherapists and activity staff) of different educational backgrounds (e.g., RNs, LPNs, nurse aides) working in the LTCF at least 8h/week for ≥ 3 months
   * Other therapeutic personnel involved in 8h/week or more in treatments/direct contact with residents

   Exclusion criteria:

   - Non-health care professionals (e.g., administration)
4. General Practitioners (GPs)

   Inclusion criteria:
   * All GP's who treat at least 5 residents in the LTCF at the time of data collection

   Exclusion criteria:

   - Temporary substitute GPs
5. Residents

Inclusion criteria:

- All residents present at the LTCF during the study duration with long-term care and billed according to the health insurance law

Exclusion criteria:

- Residents who opt out of participating in the study

Where it's running

• Institute of Nursing Science
  Basel, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Siqeca Flaka, PhD
• Email: flakasiqeca@gmail.com
• Phone: +41779606602

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.