BSO-DOS© now
fully digitized
at the bedside
The Behavioural Supports Ontario Dementia Observation System (BSO-DOS©) — all 10 behaviour categories, structured step-by-step in VitalLink, with automatic PointClickCare sync. No more paper clipboards.
10 behaviour categories colour-coded by type
Every 30 minutes · 24 hours · 5 days
Whole-team tool — PSWs, nurses, allied health
Auto-syncs to PointClickCare
PIPEDA & PHIPA compliant
The gold standard in
dementia behavioural assessment.
The Behavioural Supports Ontario-Dementia Observation System (BSO-DOS©) is a reliable direct observation tool that provides objective data about a person's behaviour every thirty minutes for 24-hours over five consecutive days.
Direct observation is the gold standard in behavioural assessment — it involves the objective collection of information by observing the person in their environment, and is not prone to the recall errors and biases inherent in retrospective documentation.
The data collected is used to identify patterns, trends, and contributing factors associated with responsive behaviours and personal expressions — informing both non-pharmacological approaches and medication reviews.
10 behaviour categories,
colour-coded for pattern recognition.
Each category is assigned a colour that corresponds to the colour-coded highlighter system used in the Analysis & Planning step, enabling rapid visual pattern identification across the 5-day period.
Context is recorded in the context column alongside behaviour observations. This column is not mandatory for every 30-minute block, but provides critical information for identifying contributing factors.
The same care team.
Completely different experience.
VitalLink doesn't change the BSO-DOS© protocol — it removes every piece of friction that makes it hard to do consistently.
The same protocol.
Without the clipboard.
Every step of the BSO-DOS© process — background, data collection, and analysis — is guided within VitalLink and synced automatically to PointClickCare. No manual entry, no transcription, no lost sheets.
| Step |
Traditional
Paper BSO-DOS©
~347 mins
|
VitalLink
Digital BSO-DOS©
~68 mins
|
Time Saving
(Mins) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Step 1 —
Background |
Print correct version, distribute to floor
15 min |
Open BSO-DOS template in VitalLink, fill in background
5 min |
10 min
|
|
|
Step 2 —
Data Collection |
Collection
|
Manually fill in each 30-min block with number codes and context across 5 days
~1 min × 48 x 5 days
240 mins |
Tap behaviour number(s) at each 30-min prompt
~0.1 min × 48 x 5 days
120 mins |
120 mins
|
|
Collation
|
Collect and collate sheets after 5 days
20 min |
Data auto-aggregated on Day 5 completion
Auto |
20 min
|
|
|
Step 3 —
Analysis & Planning |
Highlighting
|
Manually highlight each block with coloured highlighters
45 min |
Automatically colour-coded by VitalLink
Auto |
45 min
|
|
Calculation
|
Count and calculate blocks per category, per day
30 min |
Count and calculate blocks per category
Auto |
30 min
|
|
|
Progress notes
entry |
Cross-reference behaviour data and write progress notes side-by-side.
20 min |
Complete analysis and care planning with the data collection table visible for reference; auto-populate findings into the PCC progress note
15 min |
5 min
|
|
|
PointClickCare
data entry |
Transcribe data collection results into PointClickCare manually
25 min |
Results auto-sync to PointClickCare
Auto |
25 min
|
|
|
Total Time (Nurse & PSW)
|
395 mins
6.58 hours
|
140 mins
2.33 hours
|
~4–5 hrs
saved |
|
Everything the protocol requires.
Built into the app.
VitalLink doesn't just digitize the form — it guides the entire BSO-DOS© workflow from initiation through analysis, matching every step from the official BSO-DOS© User Guide.
Every 30-minute observation block is prompted in the app. Team members tap the colour-coded behaviour number(s) they observe — no codes to memorize, no handwriting to decipher.
Data is stored continuously across all five days. PSWs, nurses and allied health professionals all observe and record from the same live record — no paper to hand off between shifts.
On Day 5, VitalLink automatically calculates the average number of 1-hour blocks per day for each behaviour category — the exact calculation the BSO-DOS© User Guide specifies. No manual math required.
All BSO-DOS© data — background, observations, analysis results, and progress notes — syncs automatically to PointClickCare. No manual transcription between systems.
A standardized digital BSO-DOS© allows use of a consistent clinical tool both within and across organizations — promoting a common language and shared data analysis processes that support better care coordination.
VitalLink pre-populates the analysis findings — behaviour types observed, patterns, time-of-day trends, and possible contributing factors — so the responsible nurse or AHP can complete the progress note faster and with greater precision.
Resources to support
BSO-DOS© implementation.
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) provides a full suite of implementation resources to support healthcare teams in adopting the BSO-DOS© Version 2. These resources are freely available and designed to support everyone from front-line PSWs to organizational leaders.
VitalLink is designed to complement and align with all BSO educational materials — so teams trained on the paper BSO-DOS© will find the same workflow, language, and structure in the app.
All official BSO-DOS© Version 2 resources are available at this URL, including print-ready versions of the tool, instructional materials, and implementation support.
Trusted by nurses.
Loved by administrators.
"The digital BSO-DOS data finally told us what was actually happening — the time of day, the context, the patterns. VitalLink made the whole process something our PSWs could actually keep up with across every shift."
★★★★★
"A major improvement in workflow reliability, documentation quality, and compliance transparency. My team cannot work without VitalLink.”
★★★★★
“VitalLink has improved staff satisfaction, made their jobs easier, supported time management, and had a positive impact on resident care outcomes.”
★★★★★
Common questions about
BSO-DOS© in VitalLink.
Still have questions?
Our team is familiar with the BSO-DOS© and can walk you through how VitalLink handles every step of the protocol. Book a 30-minute demo.
Book a Demo →Does VitalLink follow the official BSO-DOS© Version 2 format? +
Which team members can record observations in VitalLink? +
Can we track custom behaviours (#9 and #10)? +
How does VitalLink handle the highlighting and calculation step? +
Do we still need the paper BSO-DOS© resources from BSO? +
Be among the first homes
to go digital with BSO-DOS©.
Book a personalized 30-minute demo tailored to your care setting and team size.
Free Demo · No Commitment · 48hr Onboarding