Frailty Index and functional level upon admission predict hospital outcomes: an interRAI-based cohort study of older patients in post-acute care hospitals

Abstract Background Globally, and particularly in countries with rapidly ageing populations like Japan, there are growing concerns over the heavy burden of ill health borne by older people, and the capacity of the health system to ensure their access to quality care. Older people with dementia may face even greater barriers to appropriate care in acute care settings. Yet, studies about the care quality for older patients with dementia in acute care settings are still few. The objective of this study is to assess whether dementia status is associated with poorer treatment by examining the association of a patient’s dementia status with the probability of receiving surgery and the waiting time until surgery for a hip fracture in acute care hospitals in Japan. Methods All patients with closed hip fracture were extracted from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database between April 2014 and March 2018. After excluding complicated cases, we conducted regressions with multilevel models. We used two outcome measures: (i) whether the patient received a surgery or was treated by watchful waiting; and (ii) number of waiting days until surgery after admission. Results Two hundred fourteen thousand six hundred one patients discharged from 1328 hospitals were identified. Among them, 159,173 patients received surgery. Both 80–89 year-olds (OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.84, 0.90) and those 90 years old and above (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65, 0.70) had significantly lower odds ratios for receiving surgery compared to 65–79 year-olds. Those with severe dementia had a significantly greater likelihood of receiving surgery compared to those without dementia (OR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.16, 1.25). Patients aged 90 years old and above had shorter waiting time for surgery (Coef. -0.06; 95% CI, − 0.11, − 0.01). Mild dementia did not have a statistically significant impact on the number of waiting days until surgery (P = 0.34), whereas severe dementia was associated with shorter waiting days (Coef. -0.08; 95% CI, − 0.12, − 0.03). Conclusions These findings suggest physicians may be taking proactive measures to preserve physical function for those with severe dementia and to avoid prolonged hospitalization although there are no formal guidelines on prioritization for the aged and dementia patients.

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The occurrence and timing of delirium in acute care hospitalizations in the last year of life: A population-based retrospective cohort study

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/0269216320929545 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 1067-1077

Author(s):

Colleen Webber ◽

Christine L Watt ◽

Shirley H Bush ◽

Peter G Lawlor ◽

Robert Talarico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Acute Care ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Acute Care Hospitals ◽

Population Based ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Factors Associated

Background: Delirium is a distressing neurocognitive disorder that is common among terminally ill individuals, although few studies have described its occurrence in the acute care setting among this population. Aim: To describe the prevalence of delirium in patients admitted to acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada, in their last year of life and identify factors associated with delirium. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study using linked health administrative data. Delirium was identified through diagnosis codes on hospitalization records. Setting/participants: Ontario decedents (1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016) admitted to an acute care hospital in their last year of life, excluding individuals age of <18 years or >105 years at admission, those not eligible for the provincial health insurance plan between their hospitalization and death dates, and non-Ontario residents. Results: Delirium was recorded as a diagnosis in 8.2% of hospitalizations. The frequency of delirium-related hospitalizations increased as death approached. Delirium prevalence was higher in patients with dementia (prevalence ratio: 1.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.50), frailty (prevalence ratio: 1.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.56–1.80), or organ failure–related cause of death (prevalence ratio: 1.23; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.31) and an opioid prescription (prevalence ratio: 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.12–1.21). Prevalence also varied by age, sex, chronic conditions, antipsychotic use, receipt of long-term care or home care, and hospitalization characteristics. Conclusion: This study described the occurrence and timing of delirium in acute care hospitals in the last year of life and identified factors associated with delirium. These findings can be used to support delirium prevention and early detection in the hospital setting.

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Communication behavior of cognitively impaired older inpatients

Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie ◽

10.1007/s00391-019-01623-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 52 (S4) ◽

pp. 264-272

Author(s):

Eva-Luisa Schnabel ◽

Hans-Werner Wahl ◽

Susanne Penger ◽

Julia Haberstroh

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Acute Care ◽

Older Patients ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Acute Care Hospital ◽

Acute Care Hospitals ◽

Well Being ◽

Communication Behavior ◽

Care Hospital

Abstract Background and objective Acutely ill older patients with cognitive impairment represent a major subgroup in acute care hospitals. In this context, communication plays a crucial role for patients’ well-being, healthcare decisions, and medical outcomes. As validated measures are lacking, we tested the psychometric properties of an observational instrument to assess Communication Behavior in Dementia (CODEM) in the acute care hospital setting. As a novel feature, we were also able to incorporate linguistic and social-contextual measures. Material and methods Data were drawn from a cross-sectional mixed methods study that focused on the occurrence of elderspeak during care interactions in two German acute care hospitals. A total of 43 acutely ill older patients with severe cognitive impairment (CI group, Mage ± SD = 83.6 ± 5.7 years) and 50 without cognitive impairment (CU group, Mage ± SD = 82.1 ± 6.3 years) were observed by trained research assistants during a standardized interview situation and rated afterwards by use of CODEM. Results Factor analysis supported the expected two-factor solution for the CI group, i.e., a verbal content and a nonverbal relationship aspect. Findings of the current study indicated sound psychometric properties of the CODEM instrument including internal consistency, convergent, divergent, and criterion validity. Conclusion CODEM represents a reliable and valid tool to examine the communication behavior of older patients with CI in the acute care hospital setting. Thus, CODEM might serve as an important instrument for researcher and healthcare professionals to describe and improve communication patterns in this environment.

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A National Intervention to Prevent the Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Israeli Post-Acute Care Hospitals

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/676876 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 802-809 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Debby Ben-David ◽

Samira Masarwa ◽

Amos Adler ◽

Hagit Mishali ◽

Yehuda Carmeli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Acute Care ◽

Acute Care Hospitals ◽

Control Measures ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Control Intervention ◽

The Impact ◽

Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae ◽

Post Acute Care

ObjectivePatients hospitalized in post-acute care hospitals (PACHs) constitute an important reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. High carriage prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been observed among patients hospitalized in PACHs. The objective of the study is to describe the impact of a national infection control intervention on the prevalence of CRE in PACHs.DesignA prospective cohort interventional study.SettingThirteen PACHs in Israel.InterventionA multifaceted intervention was initiated between 2008 and 2011 as part of a national program involving all Israeli healthcare facilities. The intervention has included (1) periodic on-site assessments of infection control policies and resources, using a score comprised of 16 elements; (2) assessment of risk factors for CRE colonization; (3) development of national guidelines for CRE control in PACHs involving active surveillance and contact isolation of carriers; and (4) 3 cross-sectional surveys of rectal carriage of CRE that were conducted in representative wards.ResultsThe infection control score increased from 6.8 to 14.0 (P < .001) over the course of the study period. A total of 3,516 patients were screened in the 3 surveys. Prevalence of carriage among those not known to be carriers decreased from 12.1% to 7.9% (P = .008). Overall carrier prevalence decreased from 16.8% to 12.5% (P = .013). Availability of alcohol-based hand rub, appropriate use of gloves, and a policy of CRE surveillance at admission to the hospital were independently associated with lower new carrier prevalence.ConclusionA nationwide infection control intervention was associated with enhanced infection control measures and a reduction in the prevalence of CRE in PACHs.

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