Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
-
To test the effect of an innovative method of documenting present and advance health care wishes on the rates of completion and the qualitative choices of health care wishes. ⋯ Introduction of a novel pathways method of documenting HCW in a PACE site was associated with increased completion, preferences toward less invasive levels of care at life's end, and increased compliance with participants' wishes and deaths at home. Future research to validate the methodology employed in this intervention should be conducted in other long-term care settings.
-
Delirium is a classic geriatric syndrome that occurs commonly among the frail elders who make up many of the residents in postacute and long-term care facilities. The prevalence of the disorder in these settings may be increasing as a result of the pressure to reduce hospital length of stay. Clinicians often do not recognize when patients in their care are delirious, but simple and practical means exist to allow its diagnosis. Those who practice in long-term care must be knowledgeable about the risk factors for the disorder, as well as how to recognize, diagnose, prevent, and treat it.
-
Comparative Study
The accuracy of Minimum Data Set diagnoses in describing recent hospitalization at acute care facilities.
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is the resident assessment instrument used to guide clinical care, reimbursement, and assess quality in long-term care facilities. This database has been used in many studies, although the accuracy of many data elements remains unknown. This study evaluated the accuracy of the MDS diagnosis variables with respect to the diagnoses for recent hospitalization from Medicare claims data. ⋯ The sensitivity of the MDS for listing diagnoses from recent hospitalization appears good for most diagnoses. However, except for hip fracture, the MDS has poor predictive value with regard to the primary reason for the preceding hospitalization; this may have implications for resident care planning and the utility of this database in long-term care research.
-
Comparative Study
Symptom experiences of residents dying in assisted living.
To identify the end-of-life symptom experiences of residents who died in assisted living, to describe family satisfaction with the end-of-life care, and to compare end-of-life symptom distress across 4 settings: assisted living, private home, nursing home, and hospital. ⋯ Residents dying in assisted-living settings have similar symptom distress experiences as people dying in other, more studied settings. As residents and families alike overwhelmingly support resident deaths in their assisted living "home," policies, structures, and processes are needed to ensure that end-of-life care needs are met.
-
To improve assessment and management of chronic pain in the nursing home through a method of continuous quality improvement. ⋯ Education and use of the PDSA paradigm improved staff knowledge and patient and family satisfaction with chronic pain assessment and management.