The Power of Purposeful Morning Meetings

The Power of Purposeful Morning Meetings

 

In long-term care (LTC) communities, the first moments of the day set the tone for the team and everything that follows. A well-structured morning meeting is more than a daily huddle– it should service as an anchor for communication, teamwork, and resident-centered care. When teams come together with intention, they create a consistent rhythm supporting safety, quality, and a shared sense of accountability.

Morning meetings offer a reliable space for interdisciplinary staff to align and review overnight events, anticipate needs, identify staffing concerns, and plan for potential risks. In the LTC setting where communication lapses can have significant consequences, having a routine touchpoint keeps everyone informed and working toward the same goals.

Key elements of the Morning Meeting:

• 15-20 minutes
• Resident-centered
• Structured
• Collaborative
• Solutions-focused

Agenda topics:

• Follow-up on pending concerns from prior day
• Overnight incidents or observations such as falls, potential reportable incidents, etc.
• Infection prevention updates
• New orders, labs and care plan updates
• Staffing considerations
• High-risk residents
• Regulatory and/or quality reminders

Tips for success:

• Maintain a consistent meeting time
• Use a standardized agenda or checklist
• Set expectations for attendance, participation, and preparation
• Encourage focused updates to keep meetings productive and succinct
• Follow-up on action items

 

When done well, morning meetings don’t just improve care, they also strengthen workplace culture. The morning meeting contributes to staff’s sense of being informed, supported, and aligned. Communication becomes proactive rather than reactive and leaders gain a consistent pulse on resident needs and operational gaps. Most importantly, residents benefit from a team that starts each day with clarity and shared purpose.

 

Next Steps:

Schedule a Proactive nursing home consultant to monitor and assist with improving the quality of your meetings and clinical processes.   Access the on-demand webinar Conducting Meaningful Meetings for additional insights on this topic.

 

 

 

Written By:

 

Liz Wheeler, BSN, RN, CHPN, IPCO, QCP, CDP

Clinical Consultant

Proactive LTC Consulting