scholarly journals Discrepancy between information provided and information required by emergency physicians for long-term care patients

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richa Parashar ◽  
Shelley McLeod ◽  
Don Melady

AbstractObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to identify information included in long-term care (LTC) transfer documentation and to compare it to the information required by local emergency department (ED) physicians to provide optimal care and make decisions for LTC patients.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted for a sample of LTC residents transferred by ambulance to the ED of an academic, tertiary care hospital over a 1-year period. All emergency physicians working at the institution were invited to complete an online questionnaire about information included in LTC transfer documentation and information required by emergency physicians to provide care for LTC patients.ResultsOf the 200 charts reviewed, the most common information transferred to the ED with the LTC patient was the patient’s past medical history (n=184, 92.0%), name of family physician (n=182, 91.0%), a list of known allergies (n=179, 89.5%), the reason for transfer to the ED (n=155, 77.5%), the patient’s emergency contact information (n=152, 76.0%), and medication administration record (n=150, 75.0%). From a physician’s perspective, the most frequently requested pieces of information included reason for transfer, past medical history, cognitive status, advanced directives for level of care and resuscitation, and the patient’s emergency contact information. This information was provided 77.5% (n=155), 92.0% (n=184), 24.0% (n=48), 62.0% (n=124), and 76.0% (n=152) of the time, respectively.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a clear discrepancy between information provided and information required by emergency physicians for LTC patients. Quality improvement initiatives at the local level may help reduce this discrepancy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 381-381
Author(s):  
Emily Behrens ◽  
Hyunjin Noh ◽  
A Lynn Snow ◽  
Patricia Parmelee

Abstract Long-term care residents with and without cognitive impairment may experience undertreatment of persistent pain (Fain et. al, 2017). Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are important sources of information about resident pain as they provide the majority of residents’ hands-on care. Therefore, assessing the accuracy of CNAs’ pain assessments and potential influencing factors may provide insight regarding the undertreatment of pain. Informed by prior research, this study examined resident pain catastrophizing and cognitive status as predictors of CNAs’ pain assessment accuracy. CNA empathy was examined as a moderating variable. Analyses confirmed a relationship between pain catastrophizing and CNA pain rating accuracy (R^2 = .205, p < .01), reflecting lower accuracy of ratings for residents higher in catastrophizing. Hypotheses predicting a relationship between resident cognitive status and CNA pain rating accuracy and moderating effects of empathy were disconfirmed. Challenges of conducting research in long-term care are discussed.


Author(s):  
Isabel Brown

ABSTRACTA retrospective study was conducted in a large multilevel geriatric centre to analyse the deaths reported in the year 1981. This centre provides accommodation for 750 elderly and/or chronically ill persons in three agencies—an apartment complex, a home for the aged, and a long-term care hospital The study revealed that the hospital is the place of death for a high proportion of the elderly residents of the centre. In particular, residents of the home for the aged are unlikely to remain in the “home” to die. It was found that patterns of death and dying for individuals admitted to the hospital from the general community differ in several ways from the patterns of those who are already living in the centre in terms of age and probable cause of death.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 469-473
Author(s):  
Shin J. Liau ◽  
J. Simon Bell

Frailty, dementia and complex multimorbidity are highly prevalent among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Prescribing for residents of LTCFs is often informed by disease-specific clinical practice guidelines based on research conducted among younger and more robust adults. However, frailty and cognitive impairment may modify medication benefits and risks. Residents with frailty and advanced dementia may be at increased susceptibility to adverse drug events (ADEs) and often have a lower likelihood of achieving long-term therapeutic benefit from chronic preventative medications. For this reason, there is a strong rationale for deprescribing, particularlyamong residents with high medication burdens, swallowing difficulties or limited dexterity. Conversely, frailty and dementia have also been associated with under-prescribing of clinically indicated medications. Unnecessarily withholding treatment based on assumed risk may deprive vulnerable population groups from receiving evidence-based care. There is a need for specific evidence regarding medication benefits and risks in LTCF residents with frailty and dementia. Observational studies conducted using routinely collected health data may complement evidence from randomized controlled trials that often exclude people living with dementia, frailty and in LTCFs. Balancing over- and under-prescribing requires consideration of each resident’s frailty and cognitive status, therapeutic goals, time-to-benefit, potential ADEs, and individual values or preferences. Incorporating frailty screening into medication review may also provide better alignment of medication regimens to changing goals of care. Timely identification of frail residents as part of treatment decision-making may assist with targeting interventions to minimize and monitor for ADEs. Shifting away from rigid application of conventional disease-specific clinical practice guidelines may provide an individualized and more holistic assessment of medication benefits and risks in the LTCF setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-178
Author(s):  
Ateequr Rahman ◽  
Druti Shukla ◽  
Lejla Cukovic ◽  
Kirstin Krzyzewski ◽  
Noopur Walia ◽  
...  

Advanced directives, such as Living Wills and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, provide the ability to identify, respect, and implement an individual's wishes for medical care during serious illness or end-of-life care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of advanced directives amongst the residents of long-term care facilities in the United States. A total of 527 cases were extracted from 2018 National Study of Long-Term Care Providers, which was collected by the National Center for Health Statistics through the surveys of residential care communities and adult day services centers. Advanced directive rates were higher in patients 90 years of age and above as compared to other age groups. Nursing home residents were more likely to have advanced directives than other long term care facilities. There was no significant difference among males and females in the rate of advanced directives. Nursing home and Hospice residents had more advanced directives compared to other facilities. The Black population had the highest rate of advanced directive preparedness. Overall, the finding of this study revealed that there was a significant difference in the preparedness of DNR orders and Living Wills by patient demographics and the type of long-term care facility. Offering advanced directive services at public health/social services facilities can enhance the rate of advanced directive preparedness. Advanced directives ease the stress and anxiety of patients, family, and friends during difficult times.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 769-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideharu Hagiya ◽  
Norihisa Yamamoto ◽  
Ryuji Kawahara ◽  
Yukihiro Akeda ◽  
Rathina Kumar Shanmugakani ◽  
...  

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