Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
-
The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) implemented in 1991 has focused national attention on the right of patients to be involved in decision-making and on the use of written advance directives. We report changes in advance care planning with the PSDA and other historical events in nursing homes in 10 states. ⋯ With the implementation of the PSDA, there was modest increase in documentation of living wills, but DNH and orders to forgo artificial hydration and nutrition remained the same. There was a substantial increase in DNR orders that began before the PSDA implementation. This increase was associated both with the implementation of the PSDA and the increased debate about the appropriateness of CPR for nursing home residents. This increase varied considerably among geographic areas from the 10 states. Future research is needed to understand this geographic variation.
-
To characterize changes in key aspects of process quality received by nursing home residents before and after the implementation of the national nursing home Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) and other aspects of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) nursing home reforms. ⋯ The OBRA reforms and introduction of the RAI constituted an unprecedented implementation of comprehensive geriatric assessment in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes. The evaluation of the effects of these interventions demonstrates significant improvements in the quality of care provided to residents. At the same time, these findings suggest that more needs to be done to improve process quality. The results suggest the RAI is one tool that facility staff, therapists, pharmacy consultants, and physicians can use to support their continuing efforts to provide high quality of care and life to the nation's 1.7 million nursing home residents.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Adverse drug events in high risk older outpatients.
To describe the prevalence, types, and consequences of adverse drug events (ADEs) in older outpatients with polypharmacy. ⋯ Predictable ADEs are common in high risk older outpatients, resulting in considerable medication modification and substantial healthcare utilization.
-
Comparative Study
Changes in hospitalization associated with introducing the Resident Assessment Instrument.
To compare the rates of hospitalization among cohorts of nursing home residents assembled before and after the implementation of the federally mandated Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). ⋯ Although other changes in the industry, clinical practice, and health care policy may have influenced hospitalization of nursing home residents, the substantial reductions observed among the cognitively impaired and those with stable ADL suggest superior and uniform assessment information in the form of the RAI contributed significantly to this decline.