Observations Regarding
INTERACT II
Cathy Kush, DNP(c), GNP-BC
Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
• Hospitalized elderly may experience iatrogenic
complications, morbidity and excess healthcare
expenditures.
• Avoidable hospitalizations are common among
long-stay residents.
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Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
• Some LTC facilities do not have the capacity to
safely evaluate and manage changes in condition
of clinically complex individuals.
• Demographic trends indicate the increasing need
for health care services that are specific to elderly
especially in the LTC setting.
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Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
• Individuals in LTC have chronic conditions and
associated functional and/or cognitive limitations.
• In some instances insufficient primary care or post
acute care needs are addressed can directly affect
the incidence of frequent hospitalizations.
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Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
The decision to hospitalize may depend on the
resources available in the LTC setting.
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Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
“The ability of nursing homes to manage the
increasing clinical complexity of the residents they
serve and to prevent the acute exacerbations of
chronic conditions that trigger hospitalizations are
integral to providing quality care” (Intrator, Zinn, &
Mor, 2004, p. 1730).
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Why is INTERACT II Important to LTC?
Implementation of INTERACT II can significantly
impact this.
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Observations
• Improved communication within the facility and
with family members
• Increased confidence in the staff and interactions
with physician, NP, family
• Empowerment
• Heightened clinical skills
• Increased knowledge
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Observations
• Improved documentation
• Enhanced communication with outside care
providers (i.e. hospital/ER, on call health care
providers)
• Improved care
• Reduced hospitalizations
• Facilitates conversations with family/POA
regarding advance directives
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Final Thoughts
With improved care, communication and reduction of
hospitalizations there is an impact financially for
both the LTC facilities and the acute care settings,
implementation of evidence based practices, and
focused care specific to the geriatric population.
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