Screening for Delirium, Dementia and Depression in Older Adults

Nursing Best Practice GuidelineOrganization & PolicyRecommendationsRecommendation • 11Nursing best practice guidelines can be successfully implemented only where there areadequate planning, resources, organizational and administrative support, as well asappropriate facilitation. Organizations may wish to develop a plan for implementationthat includes: An assessment of organizational readiness and barriers to education. Involvement of all members (whether in a direct or indirect supportive function)who will contribute to the implementation process. Dedication of a qualified individual to provide the support needed for the educationand implementation process. Ongoing opportunities for discussion and education to reinforce the importanceof best practices. Opportunities for reflection on personal and organizational experience inimplementing guidelines.37In this regard, RNAO (through a panel of nurses, researchers and administrators) hasdeveloped the “Toolkit: Implementation of clinical practice guidelines”, based on availableevidence, theoretical perspectives and consensus. The RNAO strongly recommends the useof this Toolkit for guiding the implementation of the best practice guideline on “Screeningfor Delirium, Dementia and Depression in Older Adults.”(Strength of Evidence = C – RNAO Consensus Panel, 2003)Evaluation & MonitoringOrganizations implementing the recommendations in this nursing best practice guidelineare advised to consider how the implementation and its impact will be monitored andevaluated. The following table, based on the framework outlined in the RNAO Toolkit:Implementation of clinical practice guideline (2002), illustrates some suggested indicatorsfor monitoring and evaluation.