Christopher Nnaemeka Osuafor, Sree Lakshmi Enduluri, Emma Travers, Anne Marie Bennett, Elena Deveney, Shabahat Ali, Frances McCarthy and Chie Wei Fan
Constipation in hospitalised older adults leads to adverse events and prolonged stay. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to effectively prevent and manage constipation in…
Abstract
Purpose
Constipation in hospitalised older adults leads to adverse events and prolonged stay. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to effectively prevent and manage constipation in older adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary war on constipation (WOC) algorithm.
Design/methodology/approach
A quality improvement project in older adults undergoing rehabilitation for prevention and constipation management was conducted. Quality improvement “plan-do-study-act” cycles included an initial constipation audit in the wards and meetings with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to develop an algorithm for the preventing, detecting and effectively treating constipation.
Findings
The project resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in constipation incidence after the newly developed WOC algorithm was introduced. The project also improved communication between patients and the MDT around patients’ bowel habits.
Practical implications
The project shows that using quality improvement methods in rehabilitation settings, earlier detection, earlier intervention and overall reduction in constipation in older adults can be achieved.
Originality/value
The WOC algorithm has been developed and institutionalised in the current setting. This algorithm may also be applicable in other inpatient settings.
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Cathy Bailey, Julie Doyle, Susan Squires, Cliodhna ni Scanaill, Chie Wei Fan, Cormac Sheehan, Clodagh Cunningham and Ben Dromey
This paper seeks to discuss the authors' experiences of multidisciplinary practice in relation to developing home‐based assisted living technologies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to discuss the authors' experiences of multidisciplinary practice in relation to developing home‐based assisted living technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on almost three years' experience of working within an ongoing, large, multi‐sited and multidisciplinary Irish national research programme: the Technology for Independent Living Centre. This involved industry and academic partners. Teams of clinicians, physical and social scientists, technologists, engineers, designers and ethnographers worked with older adults to design, test and deliver, home‐based technologies that focus on mitigating falls, keeping socially connected and maintaining or improving cognitive function. The authors' experiences and challenges are organised and presented through their retrospective team building model: ENDEA and through comparison with team building literature.
Findings
Learning outcomes and implications for technology focused multidisciplinary practice are offered. The paper concludes that a vital step in developing successful assisted living technologies with and for older adults is to spend resources on building effective, creative and committed multidisciplinary teams and practices.
Originality/value
The model, ENDEA, is proposed which is a blueprint for successful outcomes, through the management and delivery of multidisciplinary research.
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Abstract
Details
Keywords
Michael Lewrick, Tao Chen, Robert Raeside and Maktoba Omar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises. It is important to understand these innovation capabilities and to find how they…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises. It is important to understand these innovation capabilities and to find how they might relate to promoting innovativeness.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, data obtained from a survey of enterprises in the Chinese provinces Liaoning and Henan are analysed using multiple regression to ascertain how facets of innovation capabilities might enhance the likelihood of innovation success. Analysis is conducted for innovation defined as incremental, radical and the total of both.
Findings
It is found that focusing on customers tends to reduce innovation for Chinese companies, whilst competitor orientation, knowledge enhancement and management capability are associated with enhanced innovative ability.
Research limitations/implications
There are many determinants of innovation, notably as skills and attributes of the individual entrepreneur. In this paper the focus is on organisational facets and not on those of the individual. The paper shows the importance of monitoring competitors, as well as managing and enhancing knowledge.
Originality/value
The paper reports the analysis and extent of different capabilities for successful innovation from a unique data set from two provinces in China.