Juleen Rodakowski1, Cassandra Leighton, Grant R Martsolf, A Everette James. 1. Departments of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Dr Rodakowski) and Acute and Tertiary Care, School of Nursing (Dr Martsolf), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Rodakowski); AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Leighton); RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Martsolf); and Health Policy Management, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr James).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act encourages inclusion of family caregivers in the hospitalization process for patients. Translating the state laws into meaningful changes within the health care delivery system can be challenging and requires time. This study sought to examine early compliance with and implementation of the CARE Act reported by hospitals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. METHODS: We sent an online survey to hospital executives in Pennsylvania in 2017. Descriptive statistics were computed to examine hospital characteristics and used to assess compliance and implementation of the CARE Act tenets. RESULTS: Most hospitals reported that changes have been and are being made to comply with the CARE Act (90.9%). Hospital executives reported that the family caregiver designation is available in 63.6% of the hospitals and notification of patient discharge is available in 45.5%. Hospital executives reported that family caregiver education and instruction is occurring in 31.8% of all inpatient stays. Hospital executives indicated that they are still developing processes to comply with the legislation and to integrate family caregivers into hospital systems and processes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that hospitals are complying with the legislation, while fully operationalizing the components of the CARE Act is a work in progress.
BACKGROUND: The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act encourages inclusion of family caregivers in the hospitalization process for patients. Translating the state laws into meaningful changes within the health care delivery system can be challenging and requires time. This study sought to examine early compliance with and implementation of the CARE Act reported by hospitals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. METHODS: We sent an online survey to hospital executives in Pennsylvania in 2017. Descriptive statistics were computed to examine hospital characteristics and used to assess compliance and implementation of the CARE Act tenets. RESULTS: Most hospitals reported that changes have been and are being made to comply with the CARE Act (90.9%). Hospital executives reported that the family caregiver designation is available in 63.6% of the hospitals and notification of patient discharge is available in 45.5%. Hospital executives reported that family caregiver education and instruction is occurring in 31.8% of all inpatient stays. Hospital executives indicated that they are still developing processes to comply with the legislation and to integrate family caregivers into hospital systems and processes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that hospitals are complying with the legislation, while fully operationalizing the components of the CARE Act is a work in progress.
Authors: Juleen Rodakowski; Philip B Rocco; Maqui Ortiz; Barbara Folb; Richard Schulz; Sally C Morton; Sally Caine Leathers; Lu Hu; A Everette James Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2017-04-03 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Richard Schulz; Scott R Beach; Esther M Friedman; Grant R Martsolf; Juleen Rodakowski; A Everette James Journal: J Palliat Med Date: 2017-11-01 Impact factor: 2.947
Authors: Joan M Griffin; Brystana G Kaufman; Lauren Bangerter; Diane E Holland; Catherine E Vanderboom; Cory Ingram; Ellen M Wild; Ann Marie Dose; Carole Stiles; Virginia H Thompson Journal: J Aging Soc Policy Date: 2022-02-13
Authors: Yaguang Zheng; Bonnie Anton; Juleen Rodakowski; Stefanie C Altieri Dunn; Beth Fields; Jacob C Hodges; Heidi Donovan; Connie Feiler; Grant Martsolf; Andrew Bilderback; Susan C Martin; Dan Li; Alton Everette James Journal: JMIR Aging Date: 2022-06-21
Authors: Madeline Carbery; Richard Schulz; Juleen Rodakowski; Lauren Terhorst; Beth Fields Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-18 Impact factor: 3.390