Environmental scan (outer context)
The environmental scan identified policies, plans and strategies of peak bodies, research grant calls, and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety from the broader environment that could impact the way EDDIE + was received or even delivered. For example, the Royal Commission’s recommendations in relation to improvements to workforce conditions and capacity had the potential to boost the acceptance of EDDIE + due to alignment with better training for carers, but equally EDDIE + might be seen as an additional strain if RAC homes already had additional training that needed to be delivered during the trial period.The environmental scan also revealed recent or current hospital avoidance programs and initiatives, training resources, and relevant policies, plans and strategies. Several existing hospital avoidance programs and initiatives were identified. These programs were implemented at various locations and facilitated by different providers such as local Hospital and Health Services, Primary Health Networks, health service providers or university groups. Recently concluded programs were also noted, with several leading to reduction in hospital usage. No other hospital avoidance programs were targeted towards inclusion of PCWs, and all were “in-reach” hospital programs not RAC home led initiatives. These programs were considered potential enablers in terms of access to information or support for RAC staff. Hospital avoidance program components, geographical reach, and potential impacts on RAC homes were identified. Where RAC homes were identified as having access to one or more of the existing hospital avoidance programs, awareness for staff of these programs was incorporated into training and decision support processes for nursing staff.