Projects and Commitments
In the AFG, there are various working groups, each dedicated to a specific topic. The following topics provide an overview of the projects and initiatives from recent years. If you would like to draw on the expertise of AFG members for a practical or research project, or for a political process, we look forward to your message.
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Position Paper on Medication Management - The Role of Home Care (Spitex)
The medication management in home care (Spitex) is a process involving various stakeholders such as pharmacists, pharmacy professionals, nursing staff, general practitioners, specialists, medical assistants, clients, and family members. Medication management is highly prone to errors. Numerous interfaces and unclear responsibilities increase the risk of mistakes, thereby endangering patient safety (Meyer Masetti et al., 2012; 2018; Spitex Magazine, 2023). Therefore, the academic societie Home Care Nursing has developed a position paper on medication management in home care. Based on best practices, current literature, and information provided by the Cantonal Pharmacists Association (2009), the position paper aims to guide Spitex organizations and other healthcare players in offering safe medication management.
To the Position Papier
Working Group: Understanding of the InterRAI HC scales
The Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (InterRAI Switzerland) is a standardized assessment tool and care planning instrument for home care setting. The instrument provides CAPs (Clinical Assessment Protocols) and scales, which are used to assess the support needs of a client. The working group aims to fill knowledge gaps around the interRAI HC scales.
In a first step, the group looked at cognitive abilities, which are measured by the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS) 1 and 2. In their first publication they explain relevant facts about how to understand and use the two scales. Further the working group has focussed on the use of the Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) scales. In this article, practical recommendations for the use of the BADL scales are given, using the example of a client with dementia.
We are very happy that the working group can make a relevant contribution so that the scales are applied meaningfully in practice.
WG Best Home Care Practice
The working group was formed in 2017 with the objective of developing pathways for professional home care nursing, addressing common health problems.
Don'ts in home care setting
At the beginning of 2022, the Best Home Care Practice working group decided to consider whether there are procedures that take place routinely and are not necessary. Based on the "Choosing Wisely" recommendations from the USA and "Smarter Medicine" Switzerland, we want to complete a list of top 5 recommendations for the home care setting and justify them with relevant evidence. The project is expected to last until the end of 2025. For any questions please sent us a request by e-mail.
Stop Falls
Some members of the working group Best Home Care Practice have developed a manual for Spitex organisations within the framework of the project StopFalls with a procedure for fall risk assessment. It provides for Spitex staff to first clarify the alarm signs for the risk of falls in people over 65 years of age. For the risk assessment, the qualified nurse relies on the traffic light system. It distinguishes between low (green), moderate (orange) and high (red) fall risk. On the other hand, the qualified nurse draws on her clinical nursing experience when assessing the risk. The project was completed in 2021. Publications and information about the project can be found here.
The steering group of the project is chaired by the Office for Health Care of the Canton of St. Gallen.
Pubications
Durrer-Brischgi, L., Oberhänsli, N., Peschak, A. M. Preisig, M. (2024). interRAI IADL-Skalen verstehen und anwenden.
Akademische Fachgesellschaft Spitex Pflege (2024). Positionspapier der AFG Spitex, Medikamentenmanagement - die Rolle der Spitex.
Durrer-Brischgi, L., Oberhänsli, N., Peschak, A. M. Preisig, M. (2023). Praxisempfehlungen für interRAI HC Schweiz BADL-Skalen. Krankenpflege 09/2023. Bern.
Academic society Home Care Nursing (2023). Stellungnahme zum Faktenblatt Pflegeinitiative 2. Etappe.
Durrer-Brischgi, L., Peschak, A. M., Preisig, M. & Oberhänsli, N. (2022). Skalen richtig anwenden. Spitex Magazin 4/2022. Bern: Spitex Schweiz.
Durrer-Brischgi, L., Peschak, A. M., Preisig, M. & Oberhänsli, N. (2022). Cognitive Performance Scale 1 (CPS 1) und Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS 2) richtig verstehen und anwenden.
Azra Karabegovic, Manuela Birnea, Sonja Höhn, Rachel Jenkins & Florence Wilmes (2021) StoppSturz. Vorgehen zur Sturzprävention für die Spitex. NovaCura 07/21, Bern: Hogrefe.
Hollenstein, N., Oberhänsli, N. & Bischofberger, I. (2020) Vernehmlassung zur Änderung des Bundesgesetzes über die Krankenversicherung (Vergütung des Pflegematerials).
VFP & verschiedene AFG. (2019) Stellungnahme Pa.Iv. 19.401.
Kummli, J., Oberhänsli, N. & Bischofberger, I. (2018) Vernehmlassung zur Änderung des Bundesgesetzes über die Krankenversicherung (Kostenneutralität und Pflegebedarfsermittlung).
Oberhänsli, N. & Wyler, C. (2018) Die Arbeitsumgebung im Bereich der Spitex. VFP/APSI UPDATE Herbstausgabe 2018.
Stoll, H. & Sailer Schramm, M. (2018) Die APN in der Spitex - ein Mehrwert? Spitex Magazin.
Fringer, A., Glaus Hartmann, M., Moser, C., Sailer Schramm, M., Wyler, C. (2017). Die Stimme der Spitex im VFP: AFG Spitex-Pflege. 20 Jahre VFP NURSING on the TOP.
Glaus, M. (2017) Spitex im Clinch. Kontext, Radio SRF.
Akademische Fachgruppe Spitex. (2014) Das Kühlschrank-Orakel. Spitex Magazin
Akademische Fachgesellschaft Spitex Pflege (2013) Empfehlung für eine Stellenbeschreibung Advanced Practice Nurse (Pflegeexpertin, Pflegeexperte APN) für die Spitex.