Essentials of Care - Program Structure

EOC is an ongoing process with a 2 year evaluation cycle. There are 6 phases to the program.

Process for Implementing Essentials of Care ( pdf - 1.8MB)

Preparation

The education and engagement of the staff in the informed decision to implement EOC using transformational processes, articulation of staff shared values, ways of working together, and exploring all claims, concerns and issues around implementing the program.

Assessment

The time period where the observation, auditing and patient /carer stories are collected by a team of internal and external staff. This data is used in conjunction with other available data, as a baseline assessment of clinical practice, care delivery and the care environment.

Feedback/critique

A facilitated process whereby the data that has been collected is collated and feedback to the clinical staff, enabling them to draw out the themes that are arising and prioritise the themes that need to be actioned in the short and long term.

Action planning

A facilitated process whereby the themes are discussed and action plans are devised identifying actions, timelines, responsibilities and how their impact will be evaluated.

Implementation

The period during which the action plans are implemented by staff on the ward/unit. During this time there is ongoing evaluation of the action plans and their impact on care and the care environment.

Evaluation

At approximately the 2 year stage the ward/unit staff undertake a review of the work that has been done, by repeating the assessment phase. Any outcomes from the action plans implemented are collected, reported and celebrated. Opportunities for further improvements are identified by the clinical staff and the program continues through the cycle of phases outlined here with the intention of it becoming embedded in the way care is planned, delivered, evaluated and developed.