scholarly journals Delayed Discharges: Does Staff Well-Being Matter?

Author(s):  
Manhal Ali ◽  
Reza Salehnejad

AbstractDelayed discharges of patients from hospitals, also known as “bed–blocking” is a long standing policy concern. Such delays can increase hospital treatment costs and may also lead to poorer patient health and experience. Prior research indicates that external factors, such as, greater availability and better affordability of long term care associated with lower delays. Using theories from Economics, this study examines the role of within–hospital factors, namely, staff well–being in alleviating hospital delayed days. We use a new panel database of delays in all English hospital trusts from 2011/12 to 2014/15. Employing longitudinal count data models, the paper finds that staff well–being is associated with lower hospital delayed discharges controlling for long–term factors and management quality. The findings are robust to alternative methods and measures of delayed discharges.

Author(s):  
Michael Moran

This article describes research results regarding the role of religion/spirituality among the chronically ill that highlights the benefits of religious beliefs and practices on patient health and well being. The author reports results from a questionnaire administered to People of Color living with AIDS who reside in a nursing home. The results suggest a strong spirituality as evidenced in a desire to communicate with God through frequent prayer and the reading of the patient's Holy Book. It includes high levels of hope, feelings of being loved, and attendance at religious services and classes held in the nursing home.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette M. Willemse ◽  
Murna Downs ◽  
Lonneke Arnold ◽  
Dieneke Smit ◽  
Jacomine de Lange ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Verbakel

Aims: Motivated by ageing populations, healthcare policies increasingly emphasize the role of informal care. This study examines how prevalence rates of informal caregivers and intensive caregivers (i.e. those who provide informal care for at least 11 hours a week) vary between European countries, and to what extent informal caregiving and intensive caregiving relate to countries’ formal long-term care provisions and family care norms. Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analyses on data from the European Social Survey Round 7 ( n = 32,894 respondents in n = 19 countries) were used to test (a) contradicting hypotheses regarding the role of formal long-term care provisions based on crowding-out, crowding-in and specialization arguments and (b) the hypothesis that strong family care norms are positively related to (intensive) informal caregiving. Results: Prevalence rates of informal caregiving varied between European countries, from 20% to 44%. Intensive caregiving ranged from 4% to 11%. Opposite patterns regarding the role of formal long-term care provisions were revealed: generous long-term care provisions in a country were related to a higher likelihood of providing informal care, but a lower likelihood of providing intensive care. Moreover, intensive caregiving was more likely when family care norms in a country were strong. Conclusions: This study provided support for the specialization argument by showing that generous formal long-term care provisions crowded-out intensive caregiving, but also encouraged more people to provide (some) informal care. Because especially intensive caregiving is burdensome, low levels of formal long-term care provisions might bring risks to caregivers’ well-being and healthcare systems’ sustainability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiana Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Margrid Beuter ◽  
Nara Marilene Oliveira Girardon-Perlini ◽  
Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin ◽  
Marinês Tambara Leite ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the perception of the workers in a Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly regarding the families of the older adults in the institution. It is qualitative research, undertaken with 16 workers of the multidisciplinary team. Data collection occurred in February-June 2012, through semi-structured interviews. The technique used for treatment of the data was thematic analysis. The results indicate that the family members visit the Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly rarely, with commemorative dates being the main occasions in which they appear. The workers evidenced some situations of abandonment, in which the family does not visit the older adult even when called. They understand that nobody can substitute the role of the family, as it is the reference for the older adults. Therefore, spending time with the family can positively influence the well-being of the older adults in institutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-173
Author(s):  
Emma J. Hazelton-Provo

Background It has been established that the needs of long-term care resi­dents under 65 are distinct from those of older residents, and that these needs are not sufficiently met through the current model of LTC. Our goal was to create a supplemental assess­ment tool that can be used at the time of assessment to better represent the needs of this population. Methods Residents in the target age group (between 18 and 64), and staff who work with the target age group, were interviewed individually to identify important questions to be asked in the assessment tool. A preliminary tool was presented to the participants in a focus group, and feedback was used to make modifications to the tool. Results Questions developed from the study addressed several unique needs of this population, including the role of technology in their well-being, the need for time with visitors, and the need for supports as they transition in to LTC. Conclusions The needs of younger residents in LTC are unique, and through interviews with residents and staff we developed an assessment tool to better represent those needs at the time of admission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (40) ◽  
pp. 5128-5133
Author(s):  
Kate Levenberg ◽  
Wade Edris ◽  
Martha Levine ◽  
Daniel R. George

Epidemiologic studies suggest that the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders ranges from 2.8 to 6.5 percent of the population. To decrease morbidity and mortality associated with disease progression, pharmacologic intervention is indicated for the majority of these patients. While a number of effective treatment regimens exist, many conventional medications have significant side effect profiles that adversely impact patients’ short and long-term well-being. It is thus important to continue advancing and improving therapeutic options available to patients. This paper reviews the limitations of current treatments and examines the chemical compound Linalool, an alcohol found in many plant species, that may serve as an effective mood stabilizer. While relatively little is known about Linalool and bipolar disorder, the compound has been shown to have antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-depressive, and neurotrophic effects, with mechanisms that are comparable to current bipolar disorder treatment options.


Author(s):  
Chiaki Ura ◽  
Tsuyoshi Okamura ◽  
Akinori Takase ◽  
Masaya Shimmei ◽  
Yukan Ogawa

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 942-943
Author(s):  
Shannon Freeman ◽  
Aderonke Abgoji ◽  
Alanna Koopmans ◽  
Christopher Ross

Abstract A consequence of the strict visitor restrictions implemented by many Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs), during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the exacerbation of loneliness and social isolation felt by older adult residents. While there had been a shift by some persons to utilize digital solutions to mitigate the effects of the imposed social isolation, many facilities did not have sufficient information regarding available solutions to implement institutional strategies to support social connectedness through digital solutions. To support our partners in evidence-based policy-making we conducted a scoping review to identify existing virtual technology solutions, apps, and platforms feasible to promote social connectedness among persons residing in a long-term care facility context during times of lockdown such as experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial identification of relevant literature involved a combination of keywords and subject headings searches within 5 databases (PubMed, CINAHL EBSCO, PsychINFO EBSCO, Embase OVIDSP, and Web of Science ISI). DistillerSR was used to screen, chart and summarize the data. There is growth in the availability of technologies focused on promoting health and well-being in later life for persons in long-term care facilities however a gap remains in widespread uptake. We will describe the breadth of technologies identified in this review and discuss how they vary in utility in smaller scale facilities common in rural areas. Of the technologies that can be used to mitigate the impacts of social isolation felt by long-term care residents, many “solutions” depend on stable highspeed internet, which remains a challenge in rural and northern areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Fronteira ◽  
J Simoes ◽  
G Augusto

Abstract Informal care represents around 80% of all long term care provided in EU countries. Nevertheless, the needs for this type of care are expected to increase in the coming years in all OECD countries. Portugal is among the OECD countries with the highest ageing index (21.5% of the population was older than 65 years in 2017) due to high life expectancy and low fertility rates. As this demographic trend establishes, Portugal is expected to have more than 40% of the population over 65 years in 2037, and the expected prevalence of dementia is 3%, in 2050. In 2015 there were 2.1% of people over 65 receiving long-term care, representing 52% of all long-term care users. Around 38% were receiving care at home. It is estimated that 287,000 people in Portugal depend on informal carers. The agenda towards the official recognition of informal cares has been push forward in the country. Since 2015, several recommendations have been issued by the Parliament as well as legislative initiatives and a proposal for a Status of the Informal Carer is currently under discussion. We analyse the process of formulation of this policy in terms of sectors and stakeholders involved, definition and scope of informal carer, rights and obligations, role of the person being cared for, formal protection (e.g., labor, social, financial, training) and implementation. Recognition of the informal carer is a sector wide approach. One of the main features is the economic, social and labor protection mainly through reconciliation between work life and caring activities and promotion of the carer’s well being. Notwithstanding, and from a health system perspective, community health teams are to be the focal point for informal carers, supporting and providing specific training whenever needed. Despite its relevance, informal care should not be professionalized and responsibility of care should not be shifted from health services to informal carers. Key messages Needs for informal care are expected to increase in the coming years in OECD countries. Recognition of the informal carer is a sector wide approach.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document