07/29/16  Portland, Ore.

A two-year grant through Enriching Clinical Learning Experiences through Partnerships (ECLEPs) from the State of Oregon Department of Seniors and People with Disabilities will help nurses in assisted living facilities.

Julie Cartwright, Ph.D. recently received a two-year grant for $238,000 through Enriching Clinical Learning Experiences through Partnerships (ECLEPs) from the State of Oregon Department of Seniors and People with Disabilities to work with nurses in assisted living facilities to develop training materials and other resources for unlicensed care staff. The project focuses on supporting staff to recognize and appropriately respond to commonly encountered health problems and/or functional status changes in older adult residents. Senior students in the Virtual RNBS program are leading this project that will include needs assessment, developing and testing training materials and communication processes, and disseminating resources across the state. The students are examining emergency medical response system (EMS) calls and emergency department (ED) usage by residents with the goal of recognizing and appropriately addressing early changes in the resident's status for further assessment by nurses or other providers. Desired outcomes include decreased inappropriate use of EMS and ED services, and early intervention for high risk conditions such as heart failure to avoid exacerbations. Amanda Marcus, M.S., R.N., C.P.N., and Belinda Brooks, M.N., R.N., are guiding the students during the project.