Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
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To report the prevalence of Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) directives and to explore the factors associated with the presence of DNR directives among nursing home residents in Taiwan. ⋯ The prevalence of DNR directives among Taiwanese nursing home residents was lower than that in other countries. Our results point out the lack of DNR policy in most Taiwanese nursing homes and highlight the need for policy makers to implement further regulations. Meanwhile, education about advance directives is warranted to increase public and professional awareness and to facilitate empowerment of the increasing number of frail elderly nursing home residents in Taiwan.
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To determine if troponin I and NT-proBNP were predictors of 6-month mortality after emergency orthopedic-geriatric surgery in a frail population. ⋯ Troponin I and NT-proBNP were not predictors of 6-month mortality or cardiac events in an older frailer population of patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. These patients sustained substantial cardiac morbidity and mortality at 6 months after surgery. The control of symptoms, rather than prolongation of life with cardiological intervention, may be more appropriate for this patient group.