[The Norton Scale as predictor of health-related quality of life in institutionalized elderly]

Associations of Age and Sex with the Efficacy of Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation: Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study Using Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes

Cancer rehabilitation is thought to increase the quality of life (QOL) and functioning of cancer survivors. It remains, however, uncertain whether subgroups benefit equally from rehabilitation. We wished to investigate the outcomes of multimodal rehabilitation according to age, sex and functioning. Patients of an Austrian rehabilitation center routinely completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaires prior to (T1), and after rehabilitation (T2). To compare the outcomes between age groups (i.e., <40, 41–69, and ≥70 years), sex, and the Norton scale risk status, repeated measures of analyses of variance were calculated. A total of 5567 patients with an average age of 60.7 years were included, of which 62.7% were female. With T1 indicating the cancer survivors’ needs, older and high-risk patients reported lower functioning (all p < 0.001) and a higher symptom burden for most scales (all p < 0.05) before rehabilitation. Regardless of age, sex or risk status, the patients showed at a least small to medium improvement during rehabilitation for anxiety, depression, and most functioning and symptom scales. Some between-group differences were observed, none of which being of a relevant effect size as determined with the Cohen’s d. In conclusion, QOL is improved by rehabilitation in all patients groups, independently from age, sex, or the risk status.

Relationship between pressure ulcer risk based on Norton Scale and on the "Eating/Drinking" need assessment

AIM

To study the relationship between pressure ulcer risk evaluated by the Norton Scale and inadequate fulfilment of Need 2 (Eating/Drinking) from the 14-need classification designed by Virginia Henderson.

BACKGROUND

Assessing nutritional status and skin condition to implement preventive measures are important nursing interventions. Our hospital's standard procedure requires recording Norton Scale and Henderson Eating/Drinking Assessment results.

METHODS

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, analysing case histories of 219 patients in medical/surgical wards for >24 hr with nursing care recorded in the GACELA Care computer application. Patient sociodemographic variables and evaluation concepts from the Norton Scale and Eating/Drinking were studied.

RESULTS

A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.61, 2.83) was seen between inadequate Eating/Drinking need fulfilment and increased pressure ulcer risk. Pressure ulcer risk was generally low in the sample, with mainly no or minimum risk (77.3%); the oldest age group had the highest risk. Self-care autonomy was the most frequently assessed item in Eating/Drinking (42%).

CONCLUSIONS

A relationship was found between Norton Scale risk results and Eating/Drinking need assessment results. The greater the pressure ulcer risk, the more likely was inadequate need satisfaction (poor nutritional status).

IMPLICATIONS

To help identify pressure ulcer risk, nurses should assess patients' eating independence. Safeguarding nutritional status and preventing pressure ulcers are nursing skills associated with quality nursing care.