Ford Research Group
Our research in antibiotic stewardship and telehealth in long-term care utilizes implementation science methods and strategies to improve quality of care received by individuals in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes (NHs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs). Current and past projects use different and diverse implementation strategies to address inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics in Nursing Homes.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes to regulations by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services associated with the use of telehealth in NHs. With many NHs utilizing telehealth, implementation science can be used to understand staff and provider perceptions of the value of telehealth and determine existing barriers in its implementation. This knowledge may help identify strategies to sustain the use of telehealth in NHs.