International journal of older people nursing
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Int J Older People Nurs · Jun 2016
A national quality registers as a tool to audit items of the fundamentals of care to older patients with hip fractures.
The Swedish healthcare system has a unique resource in the national quality registers. A national quality registry contains individualised data concerning patient problems, medical interventions and outcomes after treatment, within all healthcare settings. Many healthcare settings face challenges related to the way they deliver the fundamentals of care, therefore, it is important to audit the outcome. It is estimated that the number of people aged 80 years or older will have almost quadrupled between 2000 and 2050. Hip fracture has been recognised as the most serious consequence of osteoporosis because of the risk of its complications, which include pain, acute confusional state, pressure ulcers, infections, disability, diminished quality of life and mortality. The aim of this study was therefore to explore if and how a national quality register can be used as an audit tool for the fundamentals of care when it concerns older patients suffering from a hip fracture. ⋯ Greater awareness, among hospital staff, of risk factors for complications in hip fracture patients may lead to improved patient care. Through registration in a quality register and working with the results we as Registered Nurses can ensure quality health care for older adults.
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Int J Older People Nurs · Dec 2015
ReviewOlder people in the emergency department: a literature review.
Emergency departments (EDs) play a unique role in healthcare systems throughout the world by providing acute interventions for older patients with acute/emergency and multiple health problems. The aim of this review was to identify studies that focused on older patients admitted to EDs and to determine the reasons for the visits. ⋯ The findings of the current review identified that older people visit ED quite often because of different reasons. Discharge process and repeat visits may be influenced by various factors. To ensure quality nursing care in ED nurses need to be aware why do older people visit the ED, what factors may influence discharge and what factors are associated with repeat ED visits.
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Int J Older People Nurs · Sep 2015
Older LGBT people's experiences and concerns with healthcare professionals and services in Ireland.
The specific healthcare needs and concerns for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons have not been explored to any degree within Ireland. ⋯ Healthcare practitioners need to be knowledgeable of, and sensitive to, LGBT issues.
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Int J Older People Nurs · Sep 2015
Home healthcare teams' assessments of pain in care recipients living with dementia: a Swedish exploratory study.
Pain assessment in people living with dementia is a challenge due to the complexity of pain and dementia and the difficulties in self-reporting. In home healthcare, nurses are frequently involved in pain assessment situations and there is a need to explore how home healthcare teams' manage pain assessment in this setting. ⋯ The team members'concern for care recipients when assessing pain is evident and needs to be acknowledged by the organisation which is responsible for the quality of care. Future studies should focus on further exploration of nurses' experiences with pain and dementia in home healthcare settings and address what nurses identify and how they deal with their findings. It is imperative to investigate how organisations and nurses can ensure best practices and how the implementation of evidence-based routines for assessing pain may aid in pain assessment situations.
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Int J Older People Nurs · Jun 2015
Can trained volunteers make a difference at mealtimes for older people in hospital? A qualitative study of the views and experience of nurses, patients, relatives and volunteers in the Southampton Mealtime Assistance Study.
Malnutrition is common amongst hospitalised older patients and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Poor dietary intake results from factors including acute illness and cognitive impairment but additionally patients may have difficulty managing at mealtimes. Use of volunteers to help at mealtimes is rarely evaluated. ⋯ (i) A mealtime assistance scheme should incorporate training, supervision and support for volunteers; (ii) Good relationships and a sense of teamwork can develop between wards staff and volunteers; (iii) Impact may be maximised in the context of 'protected mealtimes'.