Long-term care services and care workers in Hangzhou City, China: A cross-sectional survey

The work status of nurses in long-term care institutions in elderly care: A qualitative descriptive study

AIM

To understand the work status of nurses in long-term care institutions in China for elderly care to provide a reference for further formulating management strategies and promoting the development of long-term care teams.

METHODS

Using qualitative descriptive research methods, 31 nurses from three long-term care institutions were selected through purposive sampling for in-depth interviews, and a three-week participatory observation was conducted on the daily work of nurses in the above three long-term care institutions. Content analysis was used to analyse data.

RESULTS

In our sample, nurses in long-term care institutions had insufficient manpower, generally had low academic qualifications, and lacked professional ability. Their work enthusiasm and initiative need to be further improved. Long-term care nurses were moderately paid, and their salary satisfaction was lower than in other trades. At the same time, the social understanding of the long-term care industry was insufficient, and the social identity of nurses in long-term care institutions was low.

CONCLUSION

The development of long-term care requires the joint efforts of nurses, medical institutions, and society. By improving the system, cultivating talents and building a harmonious atmosphere, we aim to enhance the work enthusiasm of long-term care nurses and promote the stable and orderly development of the long-term care team.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nurses in long-term care institutions are at the core of the ageing age and play a vital role in coping with the ageing problem, meeting long-term care needs, improving the quality of life of old people and reducing the cost of long-term care. The training and management of nurses in long-term care institutions and the construction of the entire long-term care system should be based on China's national conditions and actual needs.

Use of physical restraints and its associated risk factors in the aged care facilities: A multicentre cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the use of physical restraints in aged care facilities(ACFs)and analyse its associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND

Physical restraints have been widely used in ACFs worldwide, but they can cause physical and mental harm to older people. It is important to regulate the use of physical restraint.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional observational and correlational multicentre study.

METHODS

By convenience sampling method, we selected eight ACFs in four representative regions of Hunan province, China, for this study. The ACF-related information was obtained by interviewing the managers and reviewing records. We conducted investigation and observation on the elderly in the ACFs to understand the use of physical restraints at three different times: 9:30-11:30, 16:00-18:00 and 19:30-21:30 on a working day. The STROBE checklist was followed for this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

This study found that the utilisation rate of physical restraints was 23.2%. The critical risk factors affecting the use of physical restrains include the following: (1) the ratio of nursing staff to the elderly residents; (2)whether there is a dementia care unit at the facility; (3) the number of elderly residents in each room; (4) the elderly residents' age, degree of education, marital status, care dependence and cognitive impairment; (5) whether the elderly has suffered from a stroke or senile dementia; (6) whether the elderly carries medical catheters.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of standardisation in the use of physical restraints in ACFs of central China. Chinese ACFs should develop guidelines and reduction measures to standardise the use of physical restraints, basing on the key factors affecting the use of physical restraints.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The use of physical restraints in ACFs is threatening the safety of the elderly residents. Understanding the implementation of physical restraint in ACFs can provide reference for reducing the use of physical restraint.

A cross-sectional study of implicit rationing of care in publicly funded nursing homes in Shanghai, China

AIMS

To investigate the level of implicit care rationing and its association with training needs in nursing homes in Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND

Nursing homes in Shanghai are confronted with a lack of care resources. Implicit care rationing can emerge due to inadequate training of care workers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 10 September and 17 November 2020. A total of 374 care workers from 16 randomly were selected nursing homes from each of the administrative districts participated the surveys. The Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care-Nursing Home instrument and the training needs analysis were adopted to measure implicit care rationing and training needs, respectively. Multiple regression techniques were used to explore the factors associated with implicit care rationing.

RESULTS

Activities related to social care, documentation and activation/rehabilitation (mean rating = 2.8, 1.89 and 1.93 respectively) were mostly likely to be rationed. Training needs of activities of daily living (ADL), activation/rehabilitation and documentation were significantly related to their implicit rationing (β = 0.864, 0.21 and 0.166, respectively, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Training needs are crucial determinants of implicit care rationing.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Quality control systems are needed to ensure care comprehensiveness. The current training system should be re-designed according to results of training needs analysis.

The use of physical restraints in Chinese long-term care facilities and its risk factors: An observational and cross-sectional study

AIM

To investigate the use of physical restraints among Chinese long-term care facilities older adults and to identify its risk factors.

DESIGN

Observational and cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 1,026 older adults from six long-term care facilities in Chongqing were recruited by cluster sampling method from July - November 2019. Data on physical restraint use and older adults' characteristics were collected using physical restraints observation forms and older adults' records. Organizational data were collected by questionnaires asking nursing managers. The independent risk factors for physical restraints use were assessed using chi-square test and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study found that the prevalence of physical restraints in six long-term care facilities in China was 25.83%. Waist belt (55.47%) and wrist restraint (52.83%) were most frequently used. Only 61.51% of physical restraints were signed with informed consent. 71.70% of physical restraints were caused by the prevention of falls, 89.06% of physical restraints were without nursing documentation, and 13.58% restrained older adults were observed to have physical complications. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, facility type and ownership, older adults per nursing assistant, length of residence, cognitive impairment, care dependency, mobility restriction, fall risk, physical agitation, and indwelling tubes emerged as important risk factors for the use of physical restraints.

CONCLUSION

The use of physical restraints among Chinese long-term care facilities older adults was at a relatively high level and lack standardized and regulated practices. Moreover, Physical restraint use was associated with facility type and ownership, older adults per nursing assistant, length of residence, cognitive impairment, care dependency, mobility restriction, fall risks, physical agitation, and indwelling tube.

IMPACT

This study will provide an effective reference for nursing staff in long-term care facilities to assess high-risk older adults in their use of physical restraints, which can support them to implement effective minimized restraint approaches to targeted people.