Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To explore the effect of the presence and timing of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order on short-term clinical outcomes, including mortality. ⋯ Our study underscores the strong association between presence of a DNR order and mortality. Further studies are necessary to better understand the presence and timing of DNR orders in hospitalized older adults.
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To describe the relationship between nursing facility resident risk conditions and signs and symptoms at time of acute transfer and diagnosis of conditions associated with potentially avoidable acute transfers (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, dehydration, pressure sores). ⋯ Although it is widely recognized that many transfers of nursing facility residents are potentially avoidable, determining "avoidability" at time of transfer is complex. Symptoms and risk conditions were only weakly predictive of hospital diagnoses.