Best practice guidelines: The RNAO led initiative to improve resident care.

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) has developed a program called Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) for Long Term Care (LTC) homes to use in the development and enhancement of programs for resident care. This article outlines the journey of a LTC home from the application process to their decision to become one of the first Best Practice Spotlight Organizations in LTC.

St. Peter's Residence partnered with the RNAO over a three year contract to offer implementation and evaluation support for approaches and outcomes. Upon successful completion of the contract, St. Peter's Residence would receive the Best Practice Spotlight Organization designation. In their work toward achieving this designation, St. Peter's Residence choose six practice guidelines for implementation at their facility. The most significant benefit to the Residence was improved resident care through front-line worker involvement and enabling staff as change leaders.

"This Best Practice Guideline focuses on transformational Leadership approaches. This foundational work ensured that future implementations of BPG's would be supported throughout the candidacy period - and well into the future. The RNAO BPG's are designed to provide knowledge through recommendations and supporting evidence that can be considered within a local context".

Karimi, B., Mills, J., Calvert, E., & Ryckman, M. (2017). Transformational leadership at point of care: Approaches and outcomes in a long-term care setting. Canadian Nursing, 28(1), 4-7. Retrieved from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=97d94bd8-aa88-400e-a33a-7c523d57e723%40sessionmgr4010#