Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To determine the relationship between interinstitutional communication and continuity of advance directives from hospital to nursing home (NH) settings. ⋯ There is higher continuation rate of DNR orders between the hospital under study and its affiliated NH than to community NHs despite a similar frequency of confirmation discussions. Completing advance directives before patients are discharged to NHs, communication of advance directives to the receiving NH, and follow-up discussions at the NH may improve the continuity of advance directives between hospitals and nursing homes.
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Comparative Study
Assessing attentiveness in older hospital patients: global assessment versus tests of attention.
Impairment of attentiveness is a cardinal symptom of delirium. We examined the relationship between bedside tests of attention and a global rating of attentiveness in older hospital patients and sought to identify cut-off points on the tests of attention that might be helpful in the diagnosis of delirium. ⋯ Simple bedside tests of attention can aid identification of delirium.