Care Partner Carryover Day: A Formalized Training Program to Improve Care Partner Preparedness for Patients With Acquired Brain Injury Prior to Discharge Home

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To measure the effectiveness of Care Partner Carryover Day (CPCD) to improve care partners' preparedness in caring for patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) prior to discharge home from an adult inpatient neurorehabilitation unit. <h3>Design</h3> Current care partner training procedures were evaluated using available evidence and staff feedback from a survey. A formalized care partner training program titled CPCD was developed. The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale was utilized as a pre and post program outcome measure. <h3>Setting</h3> 48 bed adult inpatient neurorehabilitation unit in an academic teaching hospital in NYC. <h3>Participants</h3> Patients with ABI who are projected to require assistance upon discharge home as identified by the Supervision Rating Scale and their unskilled care partners. <h3>Interventions</h3> CPCD allows care partners to independently practice skills previously learned in preparatory therapy training sessions. The CPCD program facilitates earlier identification of care partners, discharge planning, and initiation of training sessions. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale is administered to the care partner prior to training and repeated after completing CPCD. <h3>Results</h3> Preliminary results show improvements in scores on the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale after participation in CPCD, indicating increased discharge preparedness and program efficacy. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Improved scores on the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale indicate participation in a formalized care partner training program is beneficial for care partners and patients with ABI. CPCD aims to improve their confidence by practicing skills learned in a controlled environment. As a result of the CPCD program, discharge planning and training occur earlier, leading to decreased perceived burden of care and increased preparedness for home discharge. Further investigation is warranted to determine staff's perception towards CPCD and whether the new program resolves barriers of former care partner training procedures. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.