Evaluating the Implementation of a Pragmatic Person-Centered Communication Tool for the Nursing Home Setting: PAL Cards.

Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the implementation of a person-centered communication tool in nursing homes (NH). The Preferences for Activity and Leisure (PAL) Cards were developed to communicate residents' preferences for activities across care team members.
Methods: Providers were recruited to assess resident important preferences and create PAL Cards for 15-20 residents and collected data aligned with the RE-AIM framework.
Results: Reach and Adoption : A total of 43 providers registered and 26 (60%) providers completed the project. Effectiveness and Implementation : Participants attempted 424 PAL Cards and completed 406 . For the 26 providers, the average acceptability of the intervention measure was 4.7 (SD 0.4), intervention appropriateness measure was 4.5 (SD 0.5), and feasibility of intervention measure was 4.6 (SD 0.5) (all out of 5). Maintenance : Providers were able to complete 82% of PAL Card placement over the course of 5 months.
Conclusions: The majority of providers were successful in implementing PAL Cards for residents and reported the intervention as highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible providing necessary data to inform future effectiveness trials.
Clinical Implications: The intervention can assist nursing home providers in meeting PCC regulations and contribute to building relationships between residents, family, and staff.