scholarly journals Temporal Variations in the Intensity of Care Provided to Community and Nursing Home Residents Who Died of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Brown ◽  
Nick Daneman ◽  
Sarah A. Buchan ◽  
Adrienne K. Chan ◽  
Nathan M. Stall
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
June July

Introduction - Worldwide, nursing home residents have experienced disproportionately high COVID-19 mortality due to the intersection of congregate living, multimorbidity, and advanced age. Among 12 OECD countries, Canada has had the highest proportion of COVID-19 deaths in nursing home residents (78%), raising concerns about a skewed pandemic response that averted much transmission and mortality in community-dwelling residents, but did not adequately protect those in nursing homes. To investigate this, we measured temporal variations in hospitalizations among community and nursing home-dwelling decedents with COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the pandemic.Methods - We conducted a population-based cohort study of residents of Ontario, Canada with COVID-19 who died between March 11, 2020 (first COVID-19 death in Ontario) and October 28, 2020. We examined hospitalization prior to death as a function of 4 factors: community (defined as all non-nursing home residents) vs. nursing home residence, age in years (<70, 70-79, 80-89, ≥90), gender, and month of death (1st wave: March-April [peak], May, June-July 2020 [nadir], 2nd wave: August-October 2020).Results - A total of 3,114 people with confirmed COVID-19 died in Ontario from March to October, 2020 (Table 1), of whom 1,354 (43.5%) were hospitalized prior to death (median: 9 days before death, interquartile range: 4-19). Among nursing home decedents (N=2000), 22.4% were admitted to hospital prior to death, but this varied substantially from a low of 15.5% in March-April (peak of wave 1) to a high of 41.2% in June-July (nadir of wave 1). Among community-dwelling decedents (N=1,114), admission to acute care was higher (81.4%) and remained relatively stable throughout the first and second waves. Similar temporal trends for nursing home versus community decedents were apparent in age-stratified analyses (Figure 1). Women who died were less likely to have been hospitalized compared to men in both community (80% women vs 84% men) and nursing home (21% women vs 24% men) settings.Discussion - Only a minority of Ontario nursing home residents who died of COVID-19 were hospitalized prior to death, and that there were substantial temporal variations, with hospitalizations reaching their lowest point when overall COVID-19 incidence peaked in mid-April, 2020. While many nursing home residents had pre-pandemic advance directives precluding hospitalization, the low admission rate observed in March-April 2020 (15.5%) was inconsistent with both higher admission rates in subsequent months (>30%), and comparatively stable rates among community-dwelling adults. Our findings substantiate reports suggesting that hospitalizations for nursing home residents with COVID-19 were low during the peak of the pandemic’s first wave in Canada, which may have contributed to the particularly high concentration of COVID-19 mortality in Ontario’s nursing homes.

scholarly journals Association Between Nursing Home Crowding and COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Brown ◽  
Aaron Jones ◽  
Nick Daneman ◽  
Adrienne K. Chan ◽  
Kevin L. Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Score Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Frequent Testing

AbstractImportanceNursing home residents have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. Prevention recommendations have emphasized frequent testing of healthcare personnel and residents, but additional strategies are needed to protect nursing home residents.ObjectiveWe developed a reproducible index of nursing home crowding and determined whether crowding was associated with incidence of COVID-19 in the first months of the COVID-19 epidemic.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsPopulation-based retrospective cohort study of over 78,000 residents of 618 distinct nursing homes in Ontario, Canada from March 29 to May 20, 2020.ExposureThe nursing home crowding index equalled the average number of residents per bedroom and bathroom.OutcomesPrimary outcomes included the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 infection and mortality, per 100 residents; introduction of COVID-19 into a home (≥1 resident case) was a negative tracer.ResultsOf 623 homes in Ontario, we obtained complete information on 618 homes (99%) housing 78,607 residents. A total of 5,218 residents (6.6%) developed COVID-19 infection, and 1,452 (1.8%) died with COVID-19 infection as of May 20, 2020. COVID-19 infection was distributed unevenly across nursing homes: 4,496 (86%) of infections occurred in just 63 (10%) of homes. The crowding index ranged across homes from 1.3 (mainly single-occupancy rooms) to 4.0 (exclusively quadruple occupancy rooms); 308 (50%) homes had high crowding index (≥2). Incidence in high crowding index homes was 9.7%, versus 4.5% in low crowding index homes (p<0.001), while COVID-19 mortality was 2.7%, versus 1.3%. The likelihood of COVID-19 introduction did not differ (31.3% vs 30.2%, p=0.79). After adjustment for regional, nursing home, and resident covariates, the crowding index remained associated with increased risk of infection (RR=1.72, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.11-2.65) and mortality (RR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.03-2.86). Propensity score analysis yielded similar conclusions for infection (RR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.34-3.17) and mortality (RR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.30-3.38). Simulations suggested that converting all 4-bed rooms to 2-bed rooms would have averted 988 (18.9%) infections of COVID-19 and 271 (18.7%) deaths.Conclusions and RelevanceCrowding was associated with higher incidence of COVID-19 infection and mortality. Reducing crowding in nursing homes could prevent future COVID-19 mortality.

scholarly journals Needs-based provision of medical care to nursing home residents: protocol for a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e025614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Czwikla ◽  
Maike Schulz ◽  
Franziska Heinze ◽  
Thomas Kalwitzki ◽  
Daniel Gand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Term Care

IntroductionNursing home residents typically have greater needs for medical care than community-dwelling elderly. However, restricted cognitive abilities and limited mobility may impede their access to general practitioners and medical specialists. The provision of medical care in nursing homes may therefore be inappropriate in some areas of medical care. The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to systematically assess, evaluate and explain met and unmet medical care needs in German nursing homes and to develop solutions where medical care is found to be inappropriate.Methods and analysisFirst, statutory health insurance claims data are analysed to identify differences in the utilisation of medical care between nursing home residents and community-dwelling elderly with and without need for long-term care. Second, the health status and medical care of 500 nursing home residents are assessed and evaluated to quantify met and unmet medical care needs. Third, qualitative expert interviews and case conferences and, fourth, quantitative analyses of linked data are used to provide structural, case-specific and generalisable explanations of inappropriate medical care among nursing home residents. Fifth, a modified Delphi study is employed to develop pilot projects aiming to improve medical care in nursing homes.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Bremen on 23 November 2017. Research findings are disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.Trial registration numberDRKS00012383.

scholarly journals Disparities in Nursing Home Use and Quality Among African American, Hispanic, and White Medicare Residents With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1259-1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maricruz Rivera-Hernandez ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Gary Epstein-Lubow ◽  
Kali S. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
African American ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Health Care Equity

Objective: This article examines differences in nursing home use and quality among Medicare beneficiaries, in both Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service, newly admitted to nursing homes with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Method: Retrospective, national, population-based study of Medicare residents newly admitted to nursing homes with ADRD by race and ethnic group. Our analytic sample included 1,302,099 nursing home residents—268,181 with a diagnosis of ADRD—in 13,532 nursing homes from 2014. Results: We found that a larger share of Hispanic Medicare residents that are admitted to nursing homes have ADRD compared with African American and White beneficiaries. Both Hispanics and African Americans with ADRD received care in segregated nursing homes with fewer resources and lower quality of care compared with White residents. Discussion: These results have implications for targeted efforts to achieve health care equity and quality improvement efforts among nursing homes that serve minority patients.

scholarly journals Well-being and functional abilities in nursing home and home living seniors in Latvia

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 02002
Author(s):  
Aija Balode ◽  
Anda Stolarova ◽  
Anita Villerusa ◽  
Janis Vetra
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Home Living

The society in developed countries is aging. 1.5% of seniors live in nursing homes in Latvia. Aim: to compare functional abilities and well-being between nursing home and home living Latvian seniors. Methods: 280 home living seniors and 285 from nursing homes, age ≥ 65 years able to respond to questions and stand up were included in the study based on availability. They were asked to describe their well-being from very bad to very good. The functional abilities were assessed by hand grip strength, the ability to stand up without assistance, the dependence on caregivers (1 – independent, 2 – partly dependent, 3 – fully dependent), the use of walking device assistance devices. Results:The home living seniors could stand up without assistance of hands more often than nursing home residents (60.4% vs. 38.2%, p < 0.001). The handgrip strength was higher in the elderly community-dwelling women (0.3 (0.2–0.3) vs. 0.2 (0.15–0.2) Ba), p < 0.001. The nursing home residents were less often independent (62.8% vs. 83.9%, p < 0.001), more often partly dependent (30.2% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.001) and independent (7.0% vs. 1.4%, p = 0,001) while performing activities of daily living. The nursing home residents had higher walking device assistance needs (mean rank 345.7 vs. 219.2, p < 0.001) and described their well-being as “good” more often (28.4% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.001) and less often as “bad” or “very bad” (18.9% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.048). Conclusion. The subjective well-being of elderly nurse home residents is better than of home living seniors despite having less functional abilities.

scholarly journals A tablet-based intervention for activating nursing home residents with dementia: results from a cluster-randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Julie L. O’Sullivan ◽  
Sonia Lech ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Objectives: To investigate global and momentary effects of a tablet-based non-pharmacological intervention for nursing home residents living with dementia. Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting: Ten nursing homes in Germany were randomly allocated to the tablet-based intervention (TBI, 5 units) or conventional activity sessions (CAS, 5 units). Participants: N = 162 residents with dementia. Intervention: Participants received regular TBI (n = 80) with stimulating activities developed to engage people with dementia or CAS (n = 82) for 8 weeks. Measurements: Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-I, primary outcome), Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease scale, QUALIDEM scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, and psychotropic medication (secondary outcomes). Momentary quality of life was assessed before and after each activity session. Participants and staff were blinded until the collection of baseline data was completed. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models. Results: Levels of apathy decreased slightly in both groups (mean decrease in AES-I of .61 points, 95% CI −3.54, 2.33 for TBI and .36 points, 95% CI −3.27, 2.55 for CAS). Group difference in change of apathy was not statistically significant (β = .25; 95% CI 3.89, 4.38, p = .91). This corresponds to a standardized effect size (Cohen’s d) of .02. A reduction of psychotropic medication was found for TBI compared to CAS. Further analyses revealed a post-intervention improvement in QUALIDEM scores across both groups and short-term improvements of momentary quality of life in the CAS group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that interventions involving tailored activities have a beneficial impact on global and momentary quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia. Although we found no clear advantage of TBI compared to CAS, tablet computers can support delivery of non-pharmacological interventions in nursing homes and facilitate regular assessments of fluctuating momentary states.

scholarly journals Between Social Inclusion and Exclusion: Integration of Daycare Guests in the Nursing Home Setting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Hämel ◽  
Gundula Röhnsch
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
Nursing Home Setting ◽  
Close Relatives

Abstract Background and Objectives In integrated daycare, community-dwelling older people in need of care join existing groups in residential care facilities during the day. This study focuses on how nursing home residents experience the integrative care approach, exploring opportunities for social inclusion and mechanisms of exclusion. Research Design and Methods A purposive sample of residents differing in cognitive capacity and level of (non)conflictual interaction with daycare guests was selected. Episodic interviews with residents (N = 10) and close relatives (N = 2) were conducted in 3 pilot facilities in Germany and analyzed using thematic coding. Results The analysis revealed different orientation patterns towards the presence of daycare guests: respondents (a) demonstrated indifference to the daycare guests, (b) saw bonding with guests as a means to connect to the outside world, and (c) perceived incompatibility between in-group and out-group. Criticisms included disruption of daily routines and loss of privacy. Most interviewees came to terms with the care situation using rational and moral arguments. Discussion and Implications The study reveals the importance of residents’ participation when integrating daycare guests. Institutional procedures are required to prevent exclusion of daycare guests and avoid overtaxing residents.

scholarly journals Impact of Roommates on MDRO Spread in Nursing Homes

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s66-s67
Author(s):  
Gabrielle M. Gussin ◽  
Ken Kleinman ◽  
Raveena D. Singh ◽  
Raheeb Saavedra ◽  
Lauren Heim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Environmental Cleaning ◽  
The Impact

Background: Addressing the high burden of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in nursing homes is a public health priority. High interfacility transmission may be attributed to inadequate infection prevention practices, shared living spaces, and frequent care needs. We assessed the contribution of roommates to the likelihood of MDRO carriage in nursing homes. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the SHIELD OC (Shared Healthcare Intervention to Eliminate Life-threatening Dissemination of MDROs in Orange County, CA) Project, a CDC-funded regional decolonization intervention to reduce MDROs among 38 regional facilities (18 nursing homes, 3 long-term acute-care hospitals, and 17 hospitals). Decolonization in participating nursing homes involved routine chlorhexidine bathing plus nasal iodophor (Monday through Friday, twice daily every other week) from April 2017 through July 2019. MDRO point-prevalence assessments involving all residents at 16 nursing homes conducted at the end of the intervention period were used to determine whether having a roommate was associated with MDRO carriage. Nares, bilateral axilla/groin, and perirectal swabs were processed for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Enterobacteriaceae, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Generalized linear mixed models assessed the impact of maximum room occupancy on MDRO prevalence when clustering by room and hallway, and adjusting for the following factors: nursing home facility, age, gender, length-of-stay at time of swabbing, bedbound status, known MDRO history, and presence of urinary or gastrointestinal devices. CRE models were not run due to low counts. Results: During the intervention phase, 1,451 residents were sampled across 16 nursing homes. Overall MDRO prevalence was 49%. In multivariable models, we detected a significant increasing association of maximum room occupants and MDRO carriage for MRSA but not other MDROs. For MRSA, the adjusted odds ratios for quadruple-, triple-, and double-occupancy rooms were 3.5, 3.6, and 2.8, respectively, compared to residents in single rooms (P = .013). For VRE, these adjusted odds ratios were 0.3, 0.3, and 0.4, respectively, compared to residents in single rooms (P = NS). For ESBL, the adjusted odds ratios were 0.9, 1.1, and 1.5, respectively, compared to residents in single rooms (P = nonsignificant). Conclusions: Nursing home residents in shared rooms were more likely to harbor MRSA, suggesting MRSA transmission between roommates. Although decolonization was previously shown to reduce MDRO prevalence by 22% in SHIELD nursing homes, this strategy did not appear to prevent all MRSA transmission between roommates. Additional efforts involving high adherence hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and judicious use of contact precautions are likely needed to reduce transmission between roommates in nursing homes.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Gabrielle M. Gussin, Stryker (Sage Products): Conducting studies in which contributed antiseptic product is provided to participating hospitals and nursing homes. Clorox: Conducting studies in which contributed antiseptic product is provided to participating hospitals and nursing homes. Medline: Conducting studies in which contributed antiseptic product is provided to participating hospitals and nursing homes. Xttrium: Conducting studies in which contributed antiseptic product is provided to participating hospitals and nursing homes.

scholarly journals Antibiotic Susceptibility of Common Organisms Isolated from Urine Cultures of Nursing Home Residents

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s118-s120
Author(s):  
Austin R. Penna ◽  
Taniece R. Eure Eure ◽  
Nimalie D. Stone ◽  
Grant Barney ◽  
Devra Barter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Urine Culture ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Susceptibility Data

Background: With the emergence of antibiotic resistant threats and the need for appropriate antibiotic use, laboratory microbiology information is important to guide clinical decision making in nursing homes, where access to such data can be limited. Susceptibility data are necessary to inform antibiotic selection and to monitor changes in resistance patterns over time. To contribute to existing data that describe antibiotic resistance among nursing home residents, we summarized antibiotic susceptibility data from organisms commonly isolated from urine cultures collected as part of the CDC multistate, Emerging Infections Program (EIP) nursing home prevalence survey. Methods: In 2017, urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility data for selected organisms were retrospectively collected from nursing home residents’ medical records by trained EIP staff. Urine culture results reported as negative (no growth) or contaminated were excluded. Susceptibility results were recorded as susceptible, non-susceptible (resistant or intermediate), or not tested. The pooled mean percentage tested and percentage non-susceptible were calculated for selected antibiotic agents and classes using available data. Susceptibility data were analyzed for organisms with ≥20 isolates. The definition for multidrug-resistance (MDR) was based on the CDC and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s interim standard definitions. Data were analyzed using SAS v 9.4 software. Results: Among 161 participating nursing homes and 15,276 residents, 300 residents (2.0%) had documentation of a urine culture at the time of the survey, and 229 (76.3%) were positive. Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp, and Enterococcus spp represented 73.0% of all urine isolates (N = 278). There were 215 (77.3%) isolates with reported susceptibility data (Fig. 1). Of these, data were analyzed for 187 (87.0%) (Fig. 2). All isolates tested for carbapenems were susceptible. Fluoroquinolone non-susceptibility was most prevalent among E. coli (42.9%) and P. mirabilis (55.9%). Among Klebsiella spp, the highest percentages of non-susceptibility were observed for extended-spectrum cephalosporins and folate pathway inhibitors (25.0% each). Glycopeptide non-susceptibility was 10.0% for Enterococcus spp. The percentage of isolates classified as MDR ranged from 10.1% for E. coli to 14.7% for P. mirabilis. Conclusions: Substantial levels of non-susceptibility were observed for nursing home residents’ urine isolates, with 10% to 56% reported as non-susceptible to the antibiotics assessed. Non-susceptibility was highest for fluoroquinolones, an antibiotic class commonly used in nursing homes, and ≥ 10% of selected isolates were MDR. Our findings reinforce the importance of nursing homes using susceptibility data from laboratory service providers to guide antibiotic prescribing and to monitor levels of resistance.Disclosures: NoneFunding: None

scholarly journals Improving Quality of Life in Nursing Homes: The Structured Resident Interview Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard B. Degenholtz ◽  
Abby L. Resnick ◽  
Natalie Bulger ◽  
Lichun Chia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Improvement Programs

The quality of life (QOL) of the approximately 1.5 million nursing facility (NF) residents in the US is undoubtedly lower than desired by residents, families, providers, and policy makers. Although there have been important advances in defining and measuring QOL for this population, there is a need for interventions that are tied to standardized measurement and quality improvement programs. This paper describes the development and testing of a structured, tailored assessment and care planning process for improving the QOL of nursing home residents. The Quality of Life Structured Resident Interview and Care Plan (QOL.SRI/CP) builds on a decade of research on measuring QOL and is designed to be easily implemented in any US nursing home. The approach was developed through extensive and iterative pilot testing and then tested in a randomized controlled trial in three nursing homes. Residents were randomly assigned to receive the assessment alone or both the assessment and an individualized QOL care plan task. The results show that residents assigned to the intervention group experienced improved QOL at 90- and 180-day follow-up, while QOL of residents in the control group was unchanged.

scholarly journals Nursing Staff Knowledge and Beliefs about Pain in Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra MG Zwakhalen ◽  
Jan PH Hamers ◽  
Rieneke HA Peijnenburg ◽  
Martijn PF Berger
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Pain Prevalence ◽  
Knowledge Deficits

BACKGROUND: Aging is known to be associated with a high prevalence (up to 80%) of persistent pain among residents of nursing homes. However, even with high pain prevalence rates, nursing home residents are at risk for undertreatment. Knowledge deficits and beliefs among nurses influence staff behaviour in pain assessment and management.OBJECTIVES: To develop a psychometrically sound questionnaire and to gather information about knowledge and beliefs of nursing staff regarding various aspects of pain in elderly patients with dementia. In addition, the differences among several categories of nurses (based on educational level and work experience) with respect to beliefs about pain were investigated.METHODS: Participants were 123 staff members of psychogeriatric wards in two nursing homes in the Netherlands (mean of 11.4 years of experience). Their results were compared with those of two groups of nurses, one consisting of 25 registered nurse PhD students in nursing science and the other consisting of 20 trainee pain nurse specialists.RESULTS: The main findings indicate that nursing home staff respondents showed knowledge deficits about several aspects of pain, even though they were satisfied about the way pain was assessed and treated at their wards. Specific knowledge deficits were found regarding pain treatment and medication in elderly nursing home residents. Staff educational level seemed to influence their beliefs and knowledge about pain in elderly nursing home patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document