Getting to Zero-Lift in Washington State Nursing Homes

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (30) ◽  
pp. 5-430-5-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rockefeller ◽  
Barbara Silverstein ◽  
Ninica Howard

The huge toll caused by back and shoulder injuries among nursing home workers (nursing assistants) has been well documented. These injuries have been related primarily to tasks involving lifting and handling of the residents. There is strong evidence that reduction in load would decrease the risk of injury. “Zero-lift” programs are designed to reduce these loads and involve several components: support of management and participation of employees; acquisition of equipment; policies surrounding the use of equipment; training; and management of injuries that do occur. There appears to be a significant disparity between the availability of technology to reduce the hazards associated with handling tasks and the adoption of the technology by the industry. The challenge for nursing homes is to effectively implement programs that reduce physical loads on nursing assistants while maintaining a safe and caring environment for the residents.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vaux ◽  
Laure Fonteneau ◽  
Anne-Gaëlle Venier ◽  
Arnaud Gautier ◽  
Sophan Soing Altrach ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The burden of influenza morbidity and mortality in nursing homes (NH) is high. Vaccination of residents and healthcare workers (HCW) is the main prevention strategy. Despite recommendations, HCW vaccination coverage is generally low. Methods We performed a nationwide cross-sectional survey of NH using a single-stage stratified random sampling design to estimate influenza vaccination coverage in nursing home HCW in France during the 2019-2020 season, and to identify measures likely to increase it. A multivariate analysis was performed using a negative binomial regression. Results Overall influenza vaccination coverage in HCW was 31.9% (95% CI [29.7-34.1]). It varied according to occupational category: 75.5% [69.3-81.7] for physicians, 42.9% [39.4-46.4] for nurses, 26.7% [24.5-29.0] for nursing assistants, and 34.0% [30.1-38.0] for other paramedical personnel. When considering all professionals (i.e., HCW and non-medical professionals), overall vaccination coverage was 30.6% [28.2-33.0]. Vaccination coverage was higher in private nursing homes, in i) small nursing homes, ii) when vaccination was offered free of charge (RRa: 1.4, [1.1-1.8]), iii) when vaccination promotion for professionals included individual (RRa: 1.6 [1.1-2.1]) or collective (RRa: 1.3 [1.1-1.5]) information sessions, videos or games (RRa: 1.4 [1.2-1.6], iv) when information on influenza vaccines was provided (RRa: 1.2 [1.0-1.3], and finally, vi) when a vaccination point of contact - defined as an HCW who could provide reliable information on vaccination - was nominated within the nursing home (RRa: 1.7 [1.3-2.2]). Conclusions Urgent and innovative actions are required to increase coverage in HCW. Vaccination programmes should include free vaccination and education campaigns, and particularly target nursing assistants. The results of this nationwide study provide keys for improving influenza vaccination coverage in HCW. Programmes should ensure that information on influenza vaccines is provided by a vaccination point of contact in NH using attractive media. Combining the different prevention measures proposed could increase coverage in NH nationwide by over 50%.


Author(s):  
Ander Burgaña Agoües ◽  
Marta Serra Gallego ◽  
Raquel Hernández Resa ◽  
Beatriz Joven Llorente ◽  
Maria Lloret Arabi ◽  
...  

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has caused a high mortality in institutionalised individuals. There are very few studies on the involvement and the real impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes. This study analysed factors related to morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in institutionalised elderly people. Methods: This cohort study included 842 individuals from 12 nursing homes in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Spain) from 15 March to 15 May 2020. We evaluated individual factors (demographic, dependence, clinical, and therapeutic) and those related to the nursing homes (size and staff) associated with infection and mortality by SARS-CoV-2. Infection was diagnosed by molecular biology test. Results: Of the 842 residents included in the analysis, 784 underwent a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test; 74.2% were women, the mean age was 87.1 years, and 11.1% died. The PCR test was positive in 44%. A total of 33.4% of the residents presented symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and of these, 80.9% were PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 among residents was associated with the rate of staff infected in the homes. Mortality by SARS-CoV-2 was related to male sex and a greater grade of dependence measured with the Barthel index. Conclusions: SARS-Cov-2 infection in institutionalised people is associated with the infection rate in nursing home workers and mortality by SARS-Cov-2 with sex and greater dependency according to the Barthel index. Adequate management of nursing home staff and special attention to measures of infection control, especially of individuals with greater dependence, are keys for successful management of future pandemic situations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 249-249
Author(s):  
Wingyun Mak ◽  
Orah Burack ◽  
Kenneth Boockvar ◽  
Joann Reinhardt ◽  
Emily Franzosa

Abstract The COVID-19 crisis showed the urgent need for a unified, well-supported nursing home workforce. The objective of this qualitative study was to examine the lived experience of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and administrators during COVID-19 to identify best practices moving forward. Six administrator interviews and 10 remote focus groups with CNAs at 5 nursing homes (N=56) were examined through directed content analysis. Based on priorities identified by CNAs and administrators, the following practices may be most impactful: 1) ongoing and responsive staff training; 2) transparent, direct, and two-way communication channels; 3) prioritizing hiring permanent staff to avoid shortages and reliance on agency staff; 4) building collaborative staff-management relationships; 5) providing flexible job benefits; 6) providing staff-centered emotional support resources; and 7) appraising COVID-19 innovations. Our results suggest that rather than returning to “business as usual,” nursing homes can draw on these lessons to build a more sustainable workforce and industry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S771-S771
Author(s):  
Teri Round ◽  
Diana Sturdevant

Abstract Nursing homes that fostered open communication and teamwork were more likely to change their practices and adopt the “It’s Not OK to Fall” program. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptance of a team-building approach for developing leadership skills to three groups of coworkers: Administrators/Directors of Nursing, charge nurses, and certified nursing assistants (CNA) employed by nursing homes in Oklahoma. Each coworker group received one day of job specific leadership training, with another one half-day session where all levels engaged in team-building exercises. Participant satisfaction with course content ranged from agree-to-strongly agree. All stated that they could apply the leadership strategies at their facility. Administrators/Directors of Nursing found tools for tracking turnover/retention and strategies for improving staff communication helpful. Charge nurses and certified nursing assistants seldom viewed themselves as leaders, found coworker group communication very fragmented, and felt least knowledgeable about nursing home care best practices.


Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.


1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas G. Castle

Long-term care institutions have emerged as dominant sites of death for the elderly. However, studies of this trend have primarily examined nursing homes. The purpose of this research is to determine demographic, functional, disease, and facility predictors and/or correlates of death for the elderly residing in board and care facilities. Twelve factors are found to be significant: proportion of residents older than sixty-five years of age, proportion of residents who are chair- or bed-fast, proportion of residents with HIV, bed size, ownership, chain membership, affiliation with a nursing home, number of health services provided other than by the facility, the number of social services provided other than by the facility, the number of social services provided by the facility, and visits by Ombudsmen. These are discussed and comparisons with similar studies in nursing homes are made.


2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Lynn Piven ◽  
Ruth A. Anderson ◽  
Cathleen S. Colón-Emeric ◽  
Margarete Sandelowski

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Julie L. O’Sullivan ◽  
Sonia Lech ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s66-s67
Author(s):  
Gabrielle M. Gussin ◽  
Ken Kleinman ◽  
Raveena D. Singh ◽  
Raheeb Saavedra ◽  
Lauren Heim ◽  
...  

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.


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