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Cox LS, Naunton M, Peterson GM, Bagheri N, Bennetts JP, Koerner J, Davey R, Kosari S. The rate, causes and predictors of ambulance call outs to residential aged care in the Australian Capital Territory: A retrospective observational cohort study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0311019. [PMID: 39348345 PMCID: PMC11441681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Older people in residential aged care are susceptible to acute illness or injury which may necessitate an ambulance call out, assessment/treatment by a paramedic and transfer to a hospital emergency department. Understanding the case mix of residential aged care ambulance attendances is important for prevention strategies and for planning services. A retrospective observational closed cohort study was designed to investigate the characteristics of emergency ambulance call outs to 15 residential aged care sites in the Australian Capital Territory over a 12-month period. Data were collected from the local ambulance service and the aged care sites. Case load data were analysed to determine rates, clinical characteristics, ambulance attendance outcomes and the temporal distribution of call outs. A Poisson regression model was developed to investigate demographic, morbidity and medication-related risk factors associated with the number of ambulance call outs per resident. Annual ambulance call out costs were estimated. There were 1,275 residents, with 396 (31.1%) requiring at least one ambulance call out over 12 months. Of 669 ambulance attendances, the majority (87.0%) were transported to emergency departments. Trauma (23.9%), pain (16.9%) and infections (9.4%) were the most common primary assessments by the ambulance attendees. Cases/day were similar throughout the year and on weekdays compared to weekends/public holidays. The main predictors of ambulance call out were multi-morbidity, taking regular anticholinergic medicines, being male and younger age. Estimated costs of ambulance call outs/year were $475/resident and $40,375/residential aged care site. The most frequent primary assessments (trauma, pain, infections) may constitute priorities for developing prevention strategies and for treatment initiatives within residential aged care. Strategies to reduce anticholinergic medication prescribing may also be a potential intervention to decrease ambulance call outs and hospital emergency department demand. The ambulance usage data from this study may be useful to compare with future datasets to measure the impact of the introduction of new services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise S. Cox
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Mark Naunton
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gregory M. Peterson
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Nasser Bagheri
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jake Paul Bennetts
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jane Koerner
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Rachel Davey
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Sam Kosari
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Albasha N, Curtin C, McCullagh R, Cornally N, Timmons S. Staff perspectives on fall prevention activities in long-term care facilities for older residents: "Brief but often" staff education is key. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0310139. [PMID: 39250475 PMCID: PMC11383231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Falls are a serious health problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), affecting more than 50% of residents. A key role of LTCF staff is to assess fall risks and implement fall prevention activities. Understanding the barriers and facilitators is key to successful implementation. METHODS This descriptive qualitative study involving four LTCF facilities (varied provider types and sizes) in southwest Ireland. We recruited a convenience sample of 17 LTCF staff, who participated in semi-structured online 1:1 interviews (n = 7) or small group interviews (n = 10). The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS The participants included two directors of nursing, three therapists, one ward manager, one general practitioner, five nurses and five healthcare assistants. Six main themes were identified, reflecting factors that influenced fall prevention: a need for sufficient staff and appropriate skill mix; fall policy, documentation and leadership; equipment and safe environments; person-centred care; staff knowledge, skills and awareness in falls prevention; and staff communication and collaborative working. A wide range of approaches that supported LTCF staff to overcome barriers were identified, including audits and feedback, falls champions, fall prevention leaders, daily communication (e.g., safety pauses) and staff collaboration. Formal multidisciplinary meetings and identification systems to highlight residents at high risk of falling were not considered helpful. Staff suggested that education should be briefer, ongoing and practice-based ("brief but often") to promote ownership and responsibility. CONCLUSION LTCF staff identified several approaches to prevent falls in LTCFs as part of usual care, rather than lengthy, formal meetings and training. The potential role of families in fall prevention was under-appreciated and should be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neah Albasha
- Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork City, Ireland
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Catriona Curtin
- Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork City, Ireland
| | - Ruth McCullagh
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork City, Ireland
| | - Nicola Cornally
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork City, Ireland
| | - Suzanne Timmons
- Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork City, Ireland
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McGough EL, Thompson HJ. Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Long-Term Care: A Scoping Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:105026. [PMID: 38782040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically examine implementation strategies within long-term care (LTC) settings. The goal was to identify elements that contribute to adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices by facilities and frontline health care staff. DESIGN Scoping review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS LTC settings, frontline health care staff and facility administration. METHODS A scoping review of the literature across 3 databases was performed. Two researchers independently assessed literature for inclusion against criteria. The researchers independently extracted data for study characteristics following the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time (AACTT) framework. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt Categorization. RESULTS Eleven studies examining implementation of a new evidence-based intervention into LTC settings met inclusion requirements. The types of new interventions shared a common classification within the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) taxonomy, with all belonging to the Coordination of Care and Management of Care Processes category. All studies had frontline health care staff as the target of implementation strategies. Barriers to implementation included intervention timing in relation to workflow and workload, lack of interest in or skepticism regarding the new intervention, as well as perceptions that the intervention was not within scope or training. Face-to-face communication and asynchronous training were viewed positively, as was having a peer champion available for support. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results from this review highlight the importance of including communication strategies that use face-to-face delivery and peer champion approaches for successful implementation of new evidence-based interventions. Key implementation strategies also included education tailored to an individual's training and experience level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen L McGough
- Physical Therapy Department, University of Rhode Island, RI, USA.
| | - Hilaire J Thompson
- Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Bouzid W, Cantet C, Berard E, Mathieu C, Hermabessière S, Houles M, Krams T, Qassemi S, Cambon A, McCambridge C, Tavassoli N, Rolland Y. Exploring Predictive Factors for Potentially Avoidable Emergency Department Transfers: Findings From the FINE Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:572-579.e1. [PMID: 38159914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of potentially avoidable transfers (PAT) and identify factors associated with these transfers to emergency departments (EDs) among nursing home (NH) residents. DESIGN This is a secondary outcome analysis of the FINE study, a multicenter observational study collecting data on NH residents, NH settings, and contextual factors of ED transfers. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS NHs in the former Midi-Pyrénées region of the southwest of France (n = 312); a total of 1037 NH residents who experienced ED transfers (n = 1017) between January 2016 and December 2016. METHODS The analysis included resident baseline characteristics and NH and transfer decision-making characteristics. An expert group categorized the transfer status as either PAT or unavoidable. Multivariable analysis using a mixed logistic model, accounting for intra-NH correlation, was conducted to assess factors independently associated with PAT. RESULTS Among 1017 included transfers, 87.02% (n = 885) were identified as PAT and 12.98% (n = 132) unavoidable transfers. Multivariable analysis revealed that the following patient-related factors were associated with a likely high rate of PAT: usual behavior disturbances before transfer, including productive trouble (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.25-3.33; P = .0044) and unusual symptom of falling during the week preceding the transfer (OR 4.55, 95% CI 1.76-11.82; P = .0019). On the other hand, distance between ED and NH (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.998; P = .0231), NH staff trained in palliative care in the last 3 years (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.95; P = .0324), the impossibility of direct hospitalization to an appropriate unit (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.87; P = .0117), and the resident Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.99; P = .0369) were associated with a lower probability of PAT. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Transfers from NHs to hospital EDs were frequently potentially avoidable, meaning that there are still significant opportunities to reduce PAT. Our findings may help to specifically identify interventions that should be targeted at both NH and resident levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Bouzid
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Service d'Epidémiologie, Toulouse, France; Regional Health Agency of Occitanie, Toulouse, France.
| | | | - Emilie Berard
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Service d'Epidémiologie, Toulouse, France; UMR 1295 CERPOP, INSERM-Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Celine Mathieu
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Mathieu Houles
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Krams
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Soraya Qassemi
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Neda Tavassoli
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Yves Rolland
- Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Service d'Epidémiologie, Toulouse, France
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Almeida AS, Paguia A, Neves AP. Nursing Interventions to Empower Family Caregivers to Manage the Risk of Falling in Older Adults: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:246. [PMID: 38541248 PMCID: PMC10970157 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21030246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Falls pose a significant risk to older adults, resulting in injuries and declining quality of life. The psychological impact, particularly the fear of falling, impairs their well-being. This pervasive fear affects daily activities, leading to self-imposed limitations and reduced engagement. This review aimed to identify nursing interventions to empower family caregivers to manage the risk of falling in older adults. A scoping review was developed following the JBI framework. We searched the CINAHL, MEDLINE, Nursing & Allied Health Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MedicLatina, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The findings of this review revealed that out of 460 initially identified records, nine articles met the eligibility criteria and were retained for further in-depth analysis. These articles provided insights into nine distinct categories of nurse interventions: Therapeutic Relationships, Family Involvement, Personalized Care, Health Education, Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment, Home Modifications, Referral, Transition Between Healthcare Services, and Health Care Consultants. The findings of this review have significant implications for clinical practice, particularly in emphasizing the crucial role of nurses in empowering family caregivers and older adults to manage the risk of falling at home. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers can benefit from this informative resource to develop strategies and guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Silva Almeida
- Setúbal Hospital Center E.P.E., 2910-446 Setúbal, Portugal
- Nursing School of Lisbon, 1900-160 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Ana Paguia
- Sado Family Healthcare Unit, 2910-363 Setúbal, Portugal;
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Albasha N, Curtin C, McCullagh R, Cornally N, Timmons S. Staff's insights into fall prevention solutions in long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:738. [PMID: 37957577 PMCID: PMC10644547 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are one of the most common and serious health issues in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), impacting not just residents, but staff and the healthcare system. This study aimed to explore LTCF staff's current practices around falls prevention, and their suggested solutions for better falls prevention. METHODS In the southwest of Ireland, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 LTCF sites, across a range of provider types and facility sizes. A survey, measuring staff knowledge, skills and attitudes, was distributed in physical and online formats. Staff suggestions for prioritising fall and fall-related injury prevention activities, and current staff practices regarding fall incidents were also sought. Content analysis was used to analyse responses, mapping categories and subcategories to the refined theoretical domains framework (TDF) and to an existing fall prevention guideline. RESULTS There were 155 respondents (15% response rate), from staff of the LTCFs. Environmental reviews and modifications (aligned to the TDF environmental context and resource domain) were the most common suggestions for preventing both falls and fall-related injuries. Other common suggestions for preventing falls were staff education, monitoring of residents, and using alarm/calling systems, while few staff members, across all roles, reported assessing residents, exercises, reviewing medications, and vitamin D supplements. For preventing fall-related injuries, suggestions included protective equipment, hip protectors and alarm/calling systems. Staff used a standardised approach when responding to a fall incident, with intensive and holistic post-fall control measures. HCAs focussed on transferring residents safely, while nurses of all grades focused more on post-fall assessment. Respondents believed that staff education, communication, increasing staffing levels and enhancing specialist care could support their practice. CONCLUSION Noting the low response rate, the results suggest an awareness gap regarding some evidence-based, resident-focussed falls prevention solutions, such as pro-active fall-risk assessment, exercise, medication review, and Vitamin D supplements. These aspects should be included in future fall prevention education programmes in LTCFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neah Albasha
- Center for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
- Rehabilitation Department, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Catriona Curtin
- Center for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ruth McCullagh
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Nicola Cornally
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Suzanne Timmons
- Center for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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