Successful transition to elementary and the implementation of facilitative practices specified in the Reggio-Emilia philosophy

Systematic, mandated facilitation of school transitions is an important but understudied aspect of the Reggio-Emilia approach to early childhood education admired internationally as best practice. We studied the links between Northern Italian transition practices and academic achievement, school liking, cooperativeness, and problem behaviors. We followed 288 students across a transition from preschool to elementary school. Schools varied in their implementation of transition practices. High implementation of Reggio-type transition practices was related to significantly more school liking and significantly fewer problem behaviors after the transition. At follow-up at the end of the post-transition year, high-implementation schools were still characterized by lower levels of problem behavior. These data indicate that the facilitation of school transitions in the Reggio-Emilia tradition is associated with successful post-transition adjustment

Analysis of discharge documentation for older adults living with dementia: A cohort study.

BackgroundOlder adults living with dementia frequently transition between healthcare settings. Care transitions increase vulnerability and risk of iatrogenic harm.Aim and objectiveTo examine the quality of transitional care arrangements within discharge documentation for older people living with dementia.DesignSecondary analysis of cohort study data.MethodA secondary analysis of the IDEAL Study [ACTRN12612001164886] discharge documents, following the STROBE guidelines. Participants had a confirmed diagnosis of dementia and were discharged from hospital to a nursing home. An audit tool was used to extract the data. This was developed through a synthesis of existing tools and finalised by an expert panel. The analysis assessed the quality of discharge documentation, in the context of transitional care needs, and presented results using descriptive statistics. Functional ability; physical health; cognition and mental health; medications; and socio environmental factors were assessed.ResultsSixty participants were included in analyses, and half were male (52%), with a total participant mean age of 83 (SD 8.7) years. There was wide variability in the quality of core discharge information, ranging from excellent (37%), adequate (43%) to poor (20%). A sub-group of these core discharge documentation elements that detailed the participants transitional care needs were rated as follows: excellent (17%), adequate (46%) and poor (37%).ConclusionDischarge documentation fails to meet needs of people living with dementia. Improving the quality of discharge documentation for people living with dementia transitioning from hospital to nursing home is critical to provide safe and quality care.Relevance to clinical practiceThere is a need for safe, timely, accurate and comprehensive discharge information to ensure the safety of people living with dementia and prevent adverse harm