Evaluation of an advance care planning education programme for nursing homes: A Longitudinal study

SummaryPurposeTo evaluate the success of a programme of Advance Care Planning education for nursing homes by examining the effect on staff knowledge, Advance Care Planning practice within the home and end-of-life hospital admission rates.MethodThree longitudinal questionnaires assessing staff knowledge, Advance Care Planning Practice and hospital deaths completed before and after the initiation of the Advance Care Planning education programme by homes that had completed the training and those yet to undergo the training.ResultsSuperior Advance Care Planning knowledge was evident in those staff that had completed the training. There was an increase of 85% in the number of Advance Care Plans completed in the training homes and an overall reduction in hospital deaths of 25% for residents from training homes.ConclusionA programme of Advance Care Planning education for nursing homes is successful in improving nursing home staff knowledge, increasing Advance Care Planning practice and reducing hospital deaths.