Communicating Condition Change in Long-Term Care Patients

Clear, timely communication in response to a change in a patient’s condition is a critical component of quality care in long-term care facilities. Communicating Condition Change in Long-Term Care Patients is a comprehensive course designed to improve clinical observation, documentation, and interdisciplinary communication to ensure patient safety and prevent avoidable deterioration or hospitalization.

This course addresses the clinical and administrative importance of promptly recognizing and reporting changes in patient condition in long-term care environments. Nurses will be guided through the use of structured communication frameworks, such as SBAR, while learning to recognize both subtle and acute changes in physical and cognitive status. The course also emphasizes the nurse’s role in interdisciplinary coordination and outlines documentation standards that support continuity of care, compliance, and improved outcomes.

Topics covered include:

• Recognizing Clinical Changes: Early signs of deterioration, including altered mental status, vital sign abnormalities, mobility decline, and changes in appetite or behavior.
• Common Triggers in Long-Term Care: Infections, falls, adverse medication reactions, dehydration, and acute pain episodes.
• Structured Communication Methods: Practical use of SBAR and other models to relay accurate and complete information to physicians and care teams.
• Effective Documentation: Legal and clinical documentation practices that ensure regulatory compliance and clear communication of patient status. 
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Coordinating responses with CNAs, therapists, social workers, and administrative leadership.
• Case-Based Learning: Clinical scenarios illustrating appropriate recognition, escalation, and response to condition changes.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding reporting duties, avoiding delays in care, and ensuring proper documentation to support clinical decisions.

Completion Requirements:

To receive full CE credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Review all course materials.
• Score 70% or higher on the post-test.
• Submit a completed course evaluation.

Note: Optional resources such as printable SBAR tools, assessment guides, and communication checklists may be provided.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: No planners, faculty, or authors have relevant financial relationships to disclose.
• Commercial Support: No commercial sponsorship was received for this course.
• Non-Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement of any commercial entities or products.
• Off-Label Product Use: This course does not discuss any unapproved or off-label uses of medications or devices.