Speaker
Description
Background
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) was established in 2012 to enhance coordination and leverage existing resources across the continuum of care for older adults experiencing responsive behaviours associated with cognitive impairment. All long-term care homes (LTCHs) in Ontario have access to specialized behavioural support services through embedded or mobile BSO teams. BSO became a designated Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) in 2022.
BSO supports 81 LTCHs across the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant region through consultation, education, and collaborative support grounded in person-centred care, behaviour as communication, partnership, and capacity building.
Method/Approach
This initiative aimed to identify and improve transition points in care between BSO teams and supported LTCHs. Guided by components of the Knowledge-to-Action Framework and the RNAO Transitions in Care and Services Best Practice Guideline, the team conducted a comprehensive engagement process to identify gaps and prioritize opportunities for improvement.
Engagement strategies included gap analyses, process mapping, SWOT analyses, surveys, focus groups, working groups, and “Stop, Start, Continue” exercises involving internal and external partners. Findings were analyzed using a prioritization matrix to identify high-impact transition issues and inform implementation planning. Best practice champions supported strategy development and integration into local practice.
Results
The engagement process identified key transition-related priorities and informed a phased implementation plan tailored to the local BSO context. Additional outcomes included increased staff engagement and satisfaction, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of peer champions to support sustainability and knowledge translation across teams.
Conclusion/Implications
A structured, collaborative inquiry process enabled BSO to identify practice gaps, prioritize improvement opportunities, and develop actionable implementation strategies. Ongoing efforts will focus on service alignment, standardized tools and approaches, and enhanced knowledge transfer with LTCH partners to strengthen sustainable behavioural care practices, increase staff capacity, and improve resident outcomes across the long-term care sector.
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Tami McCallum RN, BScN, MPH - HNHB BSO Regional Manager - Niagara
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is your abstract related to?
Transitions in Care and Services
| Organization Name | HNHB Behavioural Supports Ontario |
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