A behavior mapping method for assessing efficacy of change on special care units

Abstract

It is often difficult to quantify outcomes when special care units implement changes such as new activity programs, increased staff time, or modified floor plans. We present a behavior mapping strategy that can be used to quantify the impact of such changes. As an example, we show how the method was used to compare a newly opened Alzheimer unit with an established Alzheimer unit across a three-month period The incidence of clean face and clean clothes at the new unit started out below the frequencies at the established unit, but matched the performance at the established unit by the end of the study. Walking, the most common behavior, was twice as likely to occur as sleeping during the day. Shouting, swearing, and hitting were extremely rare events. The behavior mapping method could be adapted as one index of quality of care.