Transitioning from implementation to integration: An innovative team approach to support integration of technology into clinical practice

The Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC) is an internationally researched assessment tool used by case managers to assess frail elderly and disabled individuals in the community. Benefit of the tool is maximized when used in an electronic format that generates outcome measures and assessment protocols to inform care planning and client outcome evaluation. In Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), mandated implementation of the RAI-HC tools and the supporting software was completed by 2006.Implementation of this assessment tool was a significant change in practice. For most clinicians, this assessment was also the first introduction to an electronic client record and to charting at point of care. Numerous barriers exist which challenge the adoption of the tool into clinical practice. Capitalizing on our health authority’s ability to extract assessment data, an opportunity was created to initiate site-specific sharing of aggregate RAI-HC data and open dialogue regarding use and meaning of RAI outputs in clinical practice. This team approach supports integration and promotes data quality by empowering clinicians to use RAI data in clinical decision-making. This paper will detail this innovative decision support strategy used to instill confidence in the tool by increasing relevance, utility and ownership of the information. Feedback received, lessons learned, processes developed, and next steps regarding ongoing support for integration will also be shared.