Speaker
Description
Abstract
Background: Meighen Health Centre is a 168-bed long-term care home in Midtown Toronto committed to safe, person-centred transitions. While admission processes were well established, gaps in medication reconciliation created risks for omissions and inaccuracies, impacting resident safety and continuity of care.
Aim: To strengthen transitions in care by improving medication reconciliation processes, enhancing safety, and increasing nursing capacity for direct resident care.
Methods: As a pre-designate Best Practice Spotlight Organization, we implemented RNAO’s Transitions in Care and Services Best Practice Guideline using Knowledge-to-Action and Social Movement Action frameworks. A structured gap analysis identified medication reconciliation during admission as a key area for improvement, aligning with recommendations for safe, timely, and accurate information exchange. This pilot, launched in March 2026, used an interprofessional approach engaging nursing, pharmacy, physicians, and social work to redesign workflows. Strategies included leveraging social work to obtain medication histories, partnering with pharmacy to develop Best Possible Medication Histories, integrating reconciliation into digital systems, and providing targeted staff education. Responsibilities were intentionally redistributed to reduce nursing burden and improve role clarity.
Results: Early pilot-phase outcomes demonstrate improved workflow efficiency, enhanced collaboration, and increased nursing capacity for direct care. Medication reconciliation responsibilities were fully transitioned from nursing to pharmacy in the pilot model, resulting in a 100% reduction in nursing workload for this process. Staff reported improved clarity and reduced administrative burden, while residents experienced smoother transitions.
Implications: Redesigning workflows and leveraging interprofessional partnerships can strengthen transitions, improve efficiency, and support sustainable practice change. This pilot demonstrates a practical model for long-term care settings. This approach also supports equity by ensuring timely, accurate medication information for residents with complex needs, enhancing safety, accessibility, and consistency across transitions in diverse long-term care populations overall outcomes.
Author(s) Credentials and Title
BPSO/ NQuIRE Lead, Assistant Director of Care
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is your abstract related to?
Transitions in Care and Services
| Organization Name | Meighen Health Centre |
|---|
