Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To determine whether delirium is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes of hospitalization in older patients. ⋯ Delirium is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in older hospital patients.
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To examine the self-reported use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and the factors associated with OTC use in a rural older population. ⋯ A substantial proportion of our older sample reported using a variety of over-the-counter drugs. Analgesics and vitamin/mineral supplements were the most frequently used categories. Women and those with more education were taking more OTC drugs. OTC use was not related to age, but the use of analgesics decreased with age while laxative use increased with age. Unlike prescription drug use, overall OTC drug use was not associated with health services utilization.
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To describe CPR policies and the procedures for discussing CPR policies of Wisconsin long-term care facilities. ⋯ Poor efficacy in this population was the main reason given for policies of never initiating CPR. Specific factors relating to CPR efficacy, such as EMT response time and ease of maintaining trained staff, were not major influences. Almost 30% of facilities offering CPR would perform it in unwitnessed situations, despite unlikely success. Many decisions about CPR may not be fully informed as nurses and physicians are not often assigned to discuss advance directives with residents or surrogates. Utilization of CPR in nursing homes offering resuscitation is low.