Norovirus genotype diversity associated with gastroenteritis outbreaks in aged-care facilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (14) ◽  
pp. 3064-3068 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. D. BRUGGINK ◽  
N. L. DUNBAR ◽  
J. A. MARSHALL
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
One Year

SUMMARYNoroviruses are a major cause of gastroenteritis. Vaccine strategies against norovirus are currently under consideration but depend on a detailed knowledge of the capsid genotypes. This study examined the incidence of norovirus outbreaks in residential aged-care facilities in Victoria, Australia over one year (2013) and documented the (capsid) norovirus genotypes associated with these outbreaks. It was found that 65·0% of 206 outbreaks tested were associated with norovirus infection, thereby showing norovirus to be the major cause of viral gastroenteritis in residential aged-care facilities. Fifteen capsid (open reading frame 2) genotypes were identified as follows: GI.2 (0·9%), GI.3 (1·8%), GI.4 (3·7%), GI.6 (0·9%), GI.7 (0·9%), GI.8 (0·9%), GII.1 (0·9%), GII.2 (0·9%), GII.3 (1·8%), GII.4 (2009-like) (0·9%), GII.4 (2012) (48·6%), GII.4 (2012-like) (16·5%), GII.4 (unknown) (9·2%), GII.5 (2·8%), GII.6 (0·9%), GII.7 (0·9%), GII.13 (6·4%) and an as yet unclassified GII genotype (0·9%). Although GII.4 was the most common norovirus capsid genotype detected, the great diversity of norovirus genotypes in the elderly indicates vaccination strategies for this demographic are not straightforward.

scholarly journals Identification of Medications that Increase Fall Risk among Residents in Residential Aged Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057-1063
Author(s):  
Arif Zikri Mazlan ◽  
Marhanis Omar ◽  
Adliah Mhd-Ali ◽  
Mohd Makmor-Bakry
Keyword(s):  
Fall Risk ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Klang Valley

Frailty in the elderly is considered a contributor to falls and is increasingly recognized as a public health priority.Certain type of drugs is associated with the risk of falling.This study aimed to identify the use of drugs that may cause falls (FRIDs) among frail elderly residents in residential aged care facilities (RACF).A cross-sectional study was conducted among RACF residents in Klang Valley, Malaysia, who are 65 years old and above from December 2019 to March 2020 using a set of researcher-assisted and validated questionnaires upon their consent. A total of 72 elderly residents were included in this study. More than 90% of the residents were classified as the frail or pre-frail. The majority of them were taking fall-risk increasing drugs (n=53, 73.6%). The calcium channel blocker is the most common drug identified that may cause falls among the participants. No significant association was found between demographic data, frailty status, and fall risk with FRIDs usage in this study. The majority of the elderly residents were using drugs that may cause falls. Therefore, a periodical medication review is needed to prevent any potential harms towards the residents.

scholarly journals FRAILTY IN AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITIES: RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 1395-1395
Author(s):  
O. Theou ◽  
J. Sluggett ◽  
J. Bell ◽  
E.C. Tan ◽  
T. Emery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
One Year

Dementia in Aboriginal people in Residential Aged Care Facilities in Alice Springs: A Descriptive Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179
Author(s):  
Bruce Hocking ◽  
Michael Lowe ◽  
Tricia Nagel ◽  
Caroline Phillips ◽  
Melissa Lindeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Aboriginal Populations ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Clinical File

AbstractBackground:A high prevalence of dementia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has been reported but knowledge of underlying causes and associations remains limited.Objective:To identify the prevalence of factors that may be associated with the categories of Major neurocognitive disorders (Major NCDs) in Aboriginal people living in residential aged care facilities in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory (NT).Design and Setting:This descriptive cross-sectional study analysed clinical file and cognitive assessment data of participants who were identified as having cognitive impairment between January and June 2016.Method:Screening for the presence of cognitive impairment using the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) was undertaken and 58 of 84 Aboriginal people were admitted to the study. Using a clinical file audit, diagnoses of Major NCDs consistent with the DSM-5 classification were made and the prevalence of factors possibly associated with these diagnoses described.Results:Fifty of the 58 participants were diagnosed with a Major NCD. The most frequent diagnoses were Major NCD due to vascular disease (30%), Major NCD due to Alzheimer’s Disease (26%) and Major NCD due to brain injury (20%). Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and alcohol misuse were commonly reported together with hypothyroidism, hypoglycaemia and vitamin D deficiency.Conclusion(s):This study identified possible associations with Major NCDs in this population as well as a different spread of Major NCD diagnoses to previous studies in Aboriginal populations. There is a need for further research to understand the causes of dementia in Australian Aboriginal people and to use this information to appropriately tailor treatment and prevention programmes.

Enhancing palliative care in rural Australia: the residential aged care setting

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mitchell ◽  
Caroline Nicholson ◽  
Keith McDonald ◽  
Anne Bucetti
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Advance Care

The delivery of palliative care in residential aged care communities is challenging, even more so in rural areas due to workforce ageing and shortages. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) assess the needs of, and quality of palliative care delivered to residents of 16 residential aged care facilities in rural southern Australia; and (ii) identify the needs of care staff to facilitate the delivery of quality palliative care. A cross-sectional survey of all residents, assessing the degree of functional limitation, stage of palliative care, and the presence of several quality indicators was conducted. Separate focus groups of care staff and relatives of residents sought information on the quality of care delivered, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the care delivered, and education and training needs. Quality palliative care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is hampered by workforce shortages, with low ratios of registered nurses, limited access to general practitioners after hours, and some communication difficulties. Some staff reported low confidence in technical and psychosocial aspects of care, especially for relatives. Relatives described mostly appropriate care, while acknowledging workload constraints. Most residents whose condition was unstable, deteriorating or terminal received advance care planning, though family expectations and unwillingness to discuss end-of-life care did tend to delay planning. Unstable residents with a reasonable prognosis were more likely to be transferred to hospital than terminally ill residents. Palliative care in participating RACFs appears to be adequate. Provision of targeted education for health care providers and implementation of protocols for advance care planning and end-of life care pathways will enhance this care.

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