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Evaluation of the STEP Intervention for Long-Term Care Residents Facing Hospital Transfer Decisions
Sponsor: Bruyère Health Research Institute.
Summary
This trial will evaluate whether the Supporting Transitions and Empowering Preferences (STEP) toolkit can improve decision-making about hospital transfers in long-term care residents and their substitute decision-makers and enhance decision self-efficacy in nursing staff. The trial will answer the questions: * Does the STEP tool reduce decisional conflict in residents and care partners at the time of transfer decisions? * Does it improve nurse self-efficacy related to hospital transfer decisions? Participants will: * Use the STEP tool during key moments of care planning (admission, care conferences, and acute events) * Complete a short survey measuring their decisional conflict * Be supported by trained nurses who use STEP to guide hospital transfer discussions Researchers will compare data collected before and after the STEP tool is implemented at two long-term care homes to see if it improves shared decision-making related to hospital transfers by reducing decisional conflict.
Official title: A Pre-Post Trial Evaluating the Supporting Transitions and Empowering Preferences (STEP) Decision Support Intervention for Long-Term Care Residents Facing Hospital Transfer Decisions During Acute Health Crises
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
55 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
200
Start Date
2025-10-01
Completion Date
2027-09-01
Last Updated
2026-02-06
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
STEP Decision Support Toolkit
The STEP toolkit includes (1) an educational booklet provided upon admission and annually, (2) condition-specific decision aids addressing common clinical scenarios, and (3) structured phone scripts for staff. STEP empowers residents and care partners to actively engage in decision-making, promotes care aligned with personal values, and supports staff in facilitating advance care planning to reduce unnecessary or complex transitions.
Locations (2)
Bruyère Health Saint-Louis Long-Term Care
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Perley Health
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada