A new initiative, designed to reduce communication barriers for people with dementia when accessing health services, has been introduced locally.
The “Getting to know what matters to me” communication passport is now in use at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH ) in Ballinasloe and Community Healthcare West which covers Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.
The resource aims to enhance the overall experience for people with dementia who use both hospital and community services. It can also be adapted to suit anyone who has difficulty communicating. It has been described as a valuable tool for patients transitioning from one care environment to another and meeting new people.
National and international research confirms that admission to an acute hospital can be distressing and disorientating for a person living with dementia and is often associated with a decline in their cognitive ability and levels of functioning. The passport will help people receiving professional care who are unable to effectively disclose information about themselves, especially if they have special requirements or preferences.
The person, along with their family or carers, are asked to record information in the communications passport that will help them communicate, such as their personal history, likes and dislikes, important people or places in their lives, and normal routines and abilities.
The Dementia Quality Improvement Committee at PUH implemented the initiative in response to recommendations outlined in the Irish National Audit of Dementia Care in Acute Hospitals report.
Paula Noone, the assistant director of nursing in dementia quality improvement with the Saolta Group, which runs the local public hospitals, said the passport immediately indicates whether a patient has communication difficulties.
“It will allow healthcare staff to see, at a glance, some of the critical information that they may have difficulty obtaining, as well as assist them understand how to effectively engage with the patient they are seeing.
“We want to make sure that all our patients are as comfortable as possible while in a healthcare setting and the passport is another tool to assist with that.”
“Having a resource like this will help all staff to immediately identify the memories, the habits, routines, and symbols that are important to the person,” said John Brennan, the dementia co-ordinator for Community Healthcare West. “The person will feel valued and included, especially when interacting with new people and going through inevitable care transitions.”
James Keane, the manager of PUH stated this new initiative aims to provide “person-centered and compassionate integrated care” while also promoting the delivery of safer healthcare. “Having greater supports in place like the passport, will greatly enhance the care we provide to patients who have difficulty communicating. Ensuring we have processes to assist in meeting the needs of our patients is a priority for the hospital.”
