scholarly journals Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and outbreaks in long-term care facilities in England: a national cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. e129-e142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Shallcross ◽  
Danielle Burke ◽  
Owen Abbott ◽  
Alasdair Donaldson ◽  
Gemma Hallatt ◽  
...  
BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. e015521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mubashir A Arain ◽  
Siegrid Deutschlander ◽  
Paola Charland

ObjectivesOver the last 10 years, appropriate workforce utilisation has been an important discussion among healthcare practitioners and policy-makers. The role of healthcare aides (HCAs) has also expanded to improve their utilisation. This evolving role of HCAs in Canada has prompted calls for standardised training, education and scope of practice for HCAs. The purpose of this research was to examine the differences in HCAs training and utilisation in continuing care facilities.DesignFrom June 2014 to July 2015, we conducted a mixed-method study on HCA utilisation in continuing care. This paper presents findings gathered solely from the prospective cross-sectional survey of continuing care facilities (long-term care (LTC) and supportive living (SL)) on HCA utilisation.Setting and participantsWe conducted this study in a Western Canadian province. The managers of the continuing care facilities (SL and LTC) were eligible to participate in the survey.Primary outcome measuresThe pattern of HCAs involvement in medication assistance and other care activities in SL and LTC facilities.ResultsWe received 130 completed surveys (LTC=64 and SL=52). Our findings showed that approximately 81% of HCAs were fully certified. We found variations in how HCAs were used in SL and LTC facilities. Overall, HCAs in SL were more likely to be involved in medication management such as assisting with inhaled medication and oral medication delivery. A significantly larger proportion of survey respondents from SL facilities reported that medication assistance training was mandatory for their HCAs (86%) compared with the LTC facilities (50%) (p value <0.01).ConclusionThe utilisation of HCAs varies widely between SL and LTC facilities. HCAs in SL facilities may be considered better used according to their required educational training and competencies. Expanding the role of HCAs in LTC facilities may lead to a cost-effective and more efficient utilisation of workforce in continuing care facilities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-200
Author(s):  
Lynn Jiang ◽  
Christopher Tedeschi ◽  
Saleena Subaiya

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have described the challenges experienced by long-term care facilities (LTCFs) following Hurricane Sandy. This study examined LTCF preparedness and experiences during and after the storm.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to assess LTCF demographics, preparation, and post-storm resources. Surveys were conducted at LTCFs located on the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City. All LTCFs located in a heavily affected area were approached.ResultsOf 29 facilities, 1 had closed, 5 did not respond, 9 declined to participate, and 14 participated, yielding a response rate of 50% for open facilities. Twenty-one percent of the facilities had preparations specifically for hurricanes. More than 70% of the facilities had lost electricity, heat, and telephone service, and one-half had evacuated. Twenty-one percent of the facilities reported not receiving any assistance and over one-half reported that relief resources did not meet their needs.ConclusionsMany LTCFs lacked plans specific to such a large-scale event. Since nearly all of the LTCFs in the region were affected, preexisting transportation and housing plans may have been inadequate. Future preparation could include hazard-specific planning and reliance on resources from a wider geographic area. Access to electricity emerged as a top priority. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:194–200)


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Fernando Coindreau-Frías ◽  
Luis E. Fernandez-Garza ◽  
Loubette Botello-González ◽  
David E. Rodríguez-Fuentes ◽  
Silvia A. Barrera-Barrera ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI) in institutionalized Mexican older adults. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study of residents of three long-term care facilities in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. A medical history, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel index, geriatric depression scale, and a nutritional screening were performed. CI was defined as MMSE ≤24. Results: Of 280 octogenarian residents (72.1% females) 61.1 % had a MMSE ≤24. Older age (OR=1.047), functional dependence (OR=10.309), malnutrition (OR=2.202), urinary incontinence (OR=2.588), and history of fracture (OR=1.764) were directly associated to CI. While higher education level (OR=0.583) and the use of antihypertensives (OR=0.521), antihistamines (OR=0.322), antiprostatic hypertrophy (OR=0.219), and lipid-lowering drugs (OR=0.575) were inversely associated. Conclusions: The evaluation of cognitive performance and its associated factors is essential for institutionalized patients in order to implement a management program aimed at reducing the progression of CI and its possible complications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 761-775
Author(s):  
Violetta Kijowska ◽  
Ilona Barańska ◽  
Katarzyna Szczerbińska

Abstract Purpose To examine factors associated with prescribing anti-dementia medicines (ADM), atypical antipsychotics (A-APM), typical antipsychotics (T-APM), anxiolytics and other psychostimulants (OP) in the residents of long-term care institutions (LTCIs). Methods A cross-sectional survey of a country-representative sample of randomly selected LTCIs in Poland, conducted in 2015–2016. First, we identified 1035 residents with cognitive impairment (CI) among all 1587 residents. Next, we randomly selected 20 residents from each institution. Study sample consists of 455 residents with CI: 214 recruited from 11 nursing homes and 241 from 12 residential homes. We used InterRAI-LTCF questionnaire and drug dispensary cards administered on the day of data collection to assess use of drugs. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The residents were treated with ADM (13.4%), OP (14.3%), antipsychotics (46.4%) including A-APM (24.2%) and T-APM (27.9%), and anxiolytics (28.4%). Hydroxyzine was used most often among anxiolytics (71.3%). Prescribing of ADM was more likely in Alzheimer’s disease (OR = 4.378; 95%CI 2.173–8.823), while OP in other dementia (OR = 1.873; 95%CI 1.007–3.485). Administration of A-APM was more likely in older residents (OR = 1.032, 95%CI 1.009–1.055), and when delusions appeared (OR = 2.082; 95%CI 1.199–3.613), while there were no neuropsychiatric factors increasing the odds of T-APM use. Prescribing of anxiolytics was less likely in moderate CI (by 47.2%) than in residents with mild CI. Conclusion Current practices of prescribing psychotropics are inadequate in Polish LTCIs, especially in terms of use of T-APM and hydroxyzine. More attention should be given to motivate physicians to change their prescribing practices.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Sato ◽  
Michiko Yuki ◽  
Saori Okubo

Abstract Background: Diabetes is one of the common aging-related diseases, and older people with diabetes are likely to have significant health issues. In long-term care facilities, nurses often face challenges in providing appropriate diabetes care for residents. This study aimed to describe the experience and perception of nurses in diabetes care at long-term care facilities.Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was administered to 1371 nurses representing different facilities. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics of participants, variables related to diabetes management, difficulties in diabetes care, and the recognition of educational opportunity needs in diabetes care as well as needs for diabetes care guidelines. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed to examine the associations among variables.Results: Among participants, 88.7% owned registered nurse license and had an average experience of 10.4 years in long-term care facilities. Approximately 61% perceived difficulties in recognizing signs/symptoms of acute metabolic failure due to hyperglycemia, while about 37% of participants did in being aware of the signs/symptoms of hypoglycemia. About 59% of participants perceived difficulties in managing blood glucose with respect to residents’ needs and preferences. Approximately 62% recognized educational opportunity needs and about 75% recognized the need for diabetes care guidelines suitable for long-term care facilities. These needs were related to the perception of difficulties, but not to variables related to diabetes management. Conclusion: This study identified the specific areas in which nurses experienced difficulties in diabetes care for residents and revealed the areas in which an approach for improving confidence of nurses in diabetes care is needed as a priority. Moreover, educational opportunities and diabetes care guidelines are required to improve the quality of care for long-term care residents.


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