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Cause or root cause?
When trying to solve an issue, it's important to get to the root of the problem, otherwise you may end up with a solution that simply treats a symptom.
Take for example a high number of older adults designated as ALC (requiring an alternate level of care). Downstream
thinking would consider what is preventing them from moving to an appropriate level of care, for example wait lists for long term care beds. While this may be contributing to the number of ALC days, its also important to think upstream by considering
what is leading to ALC designations. This line of thinking is more likely to lead to a root cause, and may look something like this: WHY are so many older
adults being designated as ALC - they became deconditioned. WHY did they become deconditioned - they didn't mobilize regularly. WHY didn't they mobilize regularly - this was not viewed as a priority by the older adult or staff, or because staff were unavailable.
There are many tools and methods for root cause analysis, but they all share something in common... they involve a collective thought process with the people who provide the care.
Our QI coaches share bright ideas to support people who care for frail older adults, and who want to learn from and inspire others. To share tools and experiences or ask for advice from others, including our QI coaches,
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