Implementing toileting trials in nursing homes: Evaluation of a dissemination strategy

ObjectivesThis study sought to improve incontinence care in nursing homes (NHs) by administering and evaluating a webinar course that provided extended instruction to help NHs implement toileting trials in accordance with recommended procedures. Of particular interest was: 1) whether the course design would prompt NH staffs to implement the recommended protocol, and 2) whether participants preferred this course design to other models.DesignThe study collected descriptive evaluation data.SettingThe setting was comprised of seven NHs.ParticipantsParticipants were staff members, typically nurses, from enrolled NHs who attended at least three of the six webinars that comprised the course.MeasuresData was collected using a course evaluation and implementation survey.ResultsStaff in the participating nursing homes attended an average of 4.85 webinars, with an average of nine staff members attending each webinar (range: 3-20). Twelve of 16 responding participants said they preferred the webinar course to other course designs. All respondents said they would recommend the course and take a similar course again. All facilities submitted some evidence that staff providers had completed implementation assignments. Most facilities reported plans to sustain use of the recommended protocol.ConclusionThis study found limited evidence that the webinar course prompts NHs to implement a recommended toileting trial protocol and is preferred to other training program designs.