A patient-centered outlook to long-term care is a key pillar of quality improvement.

The Thickened Liquid Challenge is among the latest initiatives promoting awareness of the patient experience. The six-part blog series, featured on GeriPal, was founded in 2009 by Dr. Alexander Smith, a clinician at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) and an associate professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Dr. Eric Widera, associate professor of clinical medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF and director of hospice and palliative care at SFVAMC. The purpose of their blog is to encourage open discussion of topics involving palliative and geriatric care.

The Challenge stemmed from Widera’s and Smith’s interest in the patient perspective. Previously, they had posted personal accounts of tasting medications to experience what it was like for patients who took the medicine. They decided to do the same with the thickened liquids that are commonly administered to people with swallowing problems.

To read the entire article, please visit http://qioprogram.org/qionews/articles/thickened-liquid-challenge-helps-providers-understand-patient-experience

Posted by QIO News