Function Focused Care: stimulating physical functioning in hospital
Hospitalization leads to loss of function in older people. Function Focused Care in Hospital is an intervention to prevent loss of function in older people during hospitalization. To stimulate physical functioning, nurses and patients actively collaborate in daily care activities.
Objective
The goal of this project is to establish the effectiveness of Function Focused Care in Hospital on physical functioning of patients admitted to Dutch hospitals.
Results
- A Dutch educational program and guideline for the Function Focused Care in Hospital approach in the Dutch hospital setting.
- Evaluating the process and outcomes of the Function Focused Care in Hospital approach.
Duration
01 November 2020 - 31 October 2025
Approach
Function Focused care in Hospital was found to be feasible for the Dutch hospital setting. Function Focused Care in Hospital is implemented on the neurologic and geriatric ward in three hospitals and is evaluated on effectiveness.
HU researchers involved in the research
Collaboration with knowledge partners
The project is carried out in three hospitals in the Netherlands.
About the intervention
Function Focused Care (FFC) is a philosophy of care in which nurses work with patients to optimize function and physical activity during all care interactions. Previous research provides evidence that FFC has positive effects on physical activity, mobility and ADLs in patients living in the community or nursing homes. Studies in acute care have shown promising results regarding functional status and mobility in older hospitalized patients Examples of nursing care according to the FFC approach includes having nurses walk patients to the bathroom, or to taking meals while sitting at the table rather than remaining in bed. The essence of FFC is to optimize and maintain physical function and increase patients’ time spent in physical activity. During the entire hospital admission period, the patient is encouraged to be actively engaged in all daily care activities at a level tailored to the patient.
Financing
This project is financed by ZonMw, project number 520002003.
