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| What is INTERACT? |
 INTERACT is an acronym for "Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers". The interventions
is a quality improvement program designed to improve the identification, evaluation, and communication about changes in resident status.
INTERACT was first designed in a project supported by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS). The current quality improvement project is
supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund, and will involve a total of 30
nursing homes in the states of Florida, New York and Massachusetts. Many nursing
homes across the country are using INTERACT. |
| What is the purpose of the INTERACT quality improvement program? |
The overall goal of the INTERACT program is to reduce the frequency of
transfers to the acute hospital. Transfers to the hospital can be emotionally and
physically difficult for residents, and result in numerous complications of hospitalization,
and they are costly.
In the plans for health care reform, Medicare may financially reward facilities with
lower hospitalization rates for certain conditions. By improving the identification,
evaluation, and communication about changes in resident status, some, but not all
acute care transfers can be avoided. |
| What are the INTERACT tools and who should use them? |
There are three basic types
of tools: 1) Communication tools; 2) Care Paths or Clinical tools; and 3) Advance Care
Planning tools.
The specific tools are designed for use by selected members of the care team.
However, in order for the INTERACT II project to be successful, all members of the care
team should be aware of all of the tools and their uses. |
| How are the INTERACT tools used in every day work in your facility? |
The INTERACT project champion will assist facility staff in using the tools on a
daily basis. The tools have been designed to help staff improve care, but not increase
unnecessary paperwork.
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