Hospitalisation for lower respiratory viral infections in older people in residential aged care facilities

A systematic review of reasons and risks for acute service use by older adult residents of long-term care

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify the reasons and/or risk factors for hospital admission and/or emergency department attendance for older (≥60 years) residents of long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND

Older adults' use of acute services is associated with significant financial and social costs. A global understanding of the reasons for the use of acute services may allow for early identification and intervention, avoid clinical deterioration, reduce the demand for health services and improve quality of life.

DESIGN

Systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326964) and reported following PRISMA guidelines.

METHODS

The search strategy was developed in consultation with an academic librarian. The strategy used MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Articles published since 2017 in English were eligible for inclusion. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection were searched (11/08/22). Title, abstract, and full texts were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria; data extraction was performed two blinded reviewers. Quality of evidence was assessed using the NewCastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

Thirty-nine articles were eligible and included in this review; included research was assessed as high-quality with a low risk of bias. Hospital admission was reported as most likely to occur during the first year of residence in long-term care. Respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses were frequently associated with acute services use. Frailty, hypotensive medications, falls and inadequate nutrition were associated with unplanned service use.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifiable risks have been identified that may act as a trigger for assessment and be amenable to early intervention. Coordinated intervention may have significant individual, social and economic benefits.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review has identified several modifiable reasons for acute service use by older adults. Early and coordinated intervention may reduce the risk of hospital admission and/or emergency department.

REPORTING METHOD

This systematic review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

The Utilization and National Variation of Plain X-Ray Services by Australian Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

OBJECTIVES

To (1) estimate incidence, trends, and determinants of government-subsidized diagnostic radiography (ie, plain x-ray) services utilization by Australian long-term care facility (LTCF) residents between 2009 and 2016; (2) examine national variation in services use.

DESIGN

A repeated cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Australian LTCF residents who were ≥65 years old.

METHODS

Medicare Benefits Schedule subsidized plain x-rays employed for diagnosing fall-related injuries, pneumonia, heart failure, and acute abdomen or bowel obstruction were identified. Yearly sex- and age-standardized utilization rates were calculated. Poisson and negative binomial regression models were employed. Facility-level variation was examined graphically. Overall and examination site-specific analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 521,497 LTCF episodes for 453,996 individuals living in 3018 LTCFs were examined. The median age was 84 years (interquartile range 79-88), 65% (n = 339,116) were women, and 53.9% (n = 281,297) had dementia. In addition, 34.5% (n = 341,6863) of episodes had at least 1 x-ray service. Overall, there was a 12% increase in utilization between 2009 and 2016 (from 535/1000 in 2009 to 602/1000 person-years in 2016, incidence rate ratio=1.02, 95% CI 1.02-1.02). Factors associated with x-ray use included being 80-89 years old, being a man, not having dementia, having multiple health conditions (4-6 or ≥7 compared to 0-3), being at a smaller facility (0-24 bed compared to 50-74), facility located in the Australian state of New South Wales, or in major cities (compared to regional areas). National variation in x-ray service use, with largest differences observed by state, was detected.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Plain x-ray service utilization by LTCF residents increased 12% between 2009 and 2016. Sex, age, dementia status, having multiple health conditions as well as facility size, and location were associated with plain x-ray use in LTCFs and use varied geographically. Differences in x-ray service utilization by residents highlight lack of consistent access and potential over- or underutilization.