Isn’t that what everyone is talking about? “Change your culture and outcomes will improve”! “Its’ a culture problem”! We have all heard it and have probably said it when we are referring to centers that are struggling with resident care and outcomes.

McKnight’s Clinical News recently published an article that discussed “poor work environments” and “missed care”. In the article, it references the “Alberta Context Tool” (ACT) as a tool to assist in evaluating work units in residential, long-term care environments. One of the most striking observations made through interviews with direct care staff was that most care aides reported that the two most frequently missed or rushed care tasks were walking and talking with the residents. Really? Walking and talking with our residents? Well, when you think about it, basic care has to get done but the “special touches” of spending personal time with the residents is often a luxury.

Bottom line, the study suggests that “work environment” may be an important pathway for improving care. Well worth the read, both the JAMA article as well as the Alberta Context Tool (ACT) study!