The R.A.I. Research User Network (RESUN) is a network of decision makers and researchers working together to promote the use of RAI data for quality improvement in continuing care. This network is a component of a project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as a Knowledge to Action Grant.
 

This website contains information on current and past research using RAI data, useful links for researchers, decision makers and clinicians relating to RAI and much more. This website will be updated monthly to include new featured researchers and organizations and will maintain up to date information on its members' ongoing research.

Please contact us if you are interested in receiving monthly emails previewing the new features on the website. We hope you enjoy our site!

 

Featured Researcher

Dr. Kimberly Fraser, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta

Dr. Fraser completed her BN and MA (Health Education and Health Promotion) at Dalhousie University and her PhD (Nursing) at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on decision-making, resource allocation, case management,  and related health policy with the intent that this new knowledge will be used to improve home care programs and service delivery options for clients. She currently studies decision-making and resource allocation at all policy levels: macro (government spending), meso (program), and micro (case manager/clinician). Her current work focuses on the types of knowledge individuals and groups use to inform policy decisions about care and service delivery, and how various factors influence the way clinicians use such knowledge in their everyday practice. She uses mixed methods including survey, ethnographic methods, arts-based inquiry, and grounded theory.

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Featured Story

Tofield Good News Story

When Mr. X.  moved into Tofield Continuing Care in July 2009, the staff soon knew by his behaviour that he was not happy.  He frequently resisted care, was weepy, sad, aggressive, and rarely took part in recreation therapy programs.   He also had frequent falls and tried repeatedly to leave the facility. 

 Today it is a different story for this senior.  He now participates in 50-60 recreation therapy programs a month, up dramatically from the 10-15 that was his usual last summer and fall.  His falls have been reduced to almost none.  He is much more alert, more settled and although he has occasional angry outbursts, staff know how to intervene so that behaviours do not escalate and they can readily calm him. For example, they know that often when he gets restless, a warm pack on his neck and some 1:1 time with a staff work wonders.  Janice, the Recreation Therapist says that “the sensory stimulation program and yes, the individual visits, massages, and attention really help him feel less helpless and less depressed.”  One RN, Lynn, said he greets visitors cheerily and often even when they thought he was dozing he surprises them with comments about what has been going on around him.

When Mr. X.  had his second MDS-RAI 2.0 assessment, the team saw a jump from 3 at the initial assessment to 9 in the Depression Rating Scale (DRS) score.  In February they saw he was also having daily pain and considerable aggressive behaviour. 

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