Difference between revisions of "First Appropriate Bed Policy"

==What is “Appropriate”?==

The term “appropriate” is not defined by the Ministry of Health or the health authorities. As a result it is subject to different interpretations. Administratively, a placement may appear medically appropriate if it meets a minimum standard of care, but from a person centred (resident’s) perspective looking at their total wellbeing, it may not. The British Columbia Office of the Ombudsperson stresses “Without a consistent and clear understanding of how the appropriateness of a placement is determined, seniors’ preferences may not be given sufficient weight.” ([[Chapter Three Legal Issues in Residential Care References|53]])

The facility must also have the resources to appropriately support this prospective resident, along with others. ([[Chapter Three Legal Issues in Residential Care References|56]]) For example if the prospective resident has dementia, “appropriateness” means having staff who are well trained in dementia care and understand the needs and behaviours of people with dementia, especially if there has been evidence that the person has “responsive behaviours”.

“Appropriate” can depend on a prospective resident’s abilities. A resident may have lost the ability to communicate verbally due to dementia, or may have never had the ability to communicate in English. Appropriate may mean the availability of staff who can communicate in that person’s current language in order to provide good personal care, health care and support emotional wellbeing. The importance of appropriate “communication” services in patients accessing publicly funded health care has been recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada. ([[Chapter Three Legal Issues in Residential Care References|57]])The responsibility to accommodate different prospective and current residents’ needs is described in greater detail in the Chapter Five “Rights, Remedies and Problem Resolution” (Human Rights).